Meet Leeroy New, the artist behind the giant 3D art installations of GMA News and Public Affairs' 'Year of the Superhero' year-end special
GMA News and Public Affairs collaborated with some of the country's finest artists for its much-anticipated 2021 year-end special titled Year of the Superhero. The TV special will feature uplifting stories behind some of the most heroic moments of the year.
Alongside award-winning children's book author Augie Rivera and acclaimed director Rico Gutierrez, the special will feature the work of international contemporary Filipino artist Leeroy New. He created giant 3D art installations for the TV event.
Leeroy New is an artist-designer from General Santos City. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, he creates art for film, theater, product design, and fashion. Trained as a sculptor, he is known for his colorful and oddly shaped creations and his use of ordinary objects like plastic bottles.
According to his bio posted on his website, Leeroy decided to pursue large-scale public art as a response to the issue of art and art practitioners' (in)visibility in the Philippines.
Over time, Leeroy was able to collaborate with many organizations including public and private sectors in and out of the country to bring important messages through art installations. He also created the famous "muscle dress" worn by international pop singer, Lady Gaga, in 2011.
For the Year of the Superhero, Leeroy's work depicts the inspiring stories of the Olympians who proudly raised the Philippine flag in Tokyo, the nurses who saved 35 infants from a burning hospital, and the youth behind the community pantry initiative which made headlines this year.
His inspiration was drawn from the stories of ordinary citizens who lifted our spirits in the midst of adversities in the year 2021.
Year of the Superhero will be hosted by Kapuso power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera which will air on January 1, 2022, 7:15 p.m., on GMA.
