Bjorn Calleja (b. 1981, Manila, Philippines) is a contemporary artist from the Philippines whose imaginative and surreal works captivate viewers with their blend of distorted figures, whimsical elements, and vibrant colors. His art challenges conventional perceptions of reality by presenting familiar forms in exaggerated, almost grotesque styles. In doing so, Calleja invites reflection on identity, existence, and the absurdities of life.
Born in 1981 in Manila, Calleja’s background in painting, drawing, sculpture, animation and installation art has given him a diverse skill set that he uses to create his distinctive works. Over the years, he has exhibited both locally and internationally, participating in solo and group exhibitions. His art is often infused with humor and playfulness, yet beneath the surface lie deeper philosophical and social undertones that provoke thought and introspection.
The central focus of Calleja’s work is the human condition. He explores themes of identity, perception, and the absurdity of existence by distorting the human form in surreal, yet strangely familiar ways. Despite their distorted shapes, his figures evoke a visceral connection with the viewer, triggering a sense of familiarity that draws them into the artwork. Calleja frequently plays with scale and proportion, using exaggerated forms to highlight the tension between the grotesque and the ordinary. His style is deeply influenced by contemporary surrealism and incorporates elements of caricature and cartoon aesthetics. This unique visual language allows his work to stand out as it weaves together humor and metaphor, resulting in images that are as visually striking as they are intellectually engaging.
Calleja’s art is more than just an exercise in surrealism; it is also a form of social commentary. The playful and exaggerated elements in his work often carry a critique of modern life. By distorting the human form and placing it in bizarre, dreamlike contexts, he reflects on how individuals navigate societal expectations and the internal conflicts that arise from these pressures. His work invites viewers to reconsider the norms and assumptions that shape their understanding of the world. Through his surreal distortions, Calleja makes the invisible visible, encouraging a reconsideration of what is taken for granted in everyday life.
Calleja’s unique approach has earned him significant attention in the art world, particularly in Southeast Asia. His exhibitions have been well-received both regionally and internationally, with collectors and critics praising his distinct blend of surrealism, humor, and social critique. His work has been featured in numerous art fairs and galleries, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the contemporary Filipino art scene.
Through his art, Bjorn Calleja blends humor, absurdity, and social critique in his surreal, distorted depictions of the human figure. His work encourages viewers to reflect on their own identities, question the nature of perception, and find beauty in the grotesque. By pushing the boundaries of conventional representation, Calleja offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on modern life, challenging us to look deeper and engage more meaningfully with the world around us.
Solo exhibitions: Alone with Everybody; Tang Contemporary Art (Beijing Dangdai) (2024), 369; West Gallery (2023), Thus and So; Leixiang Gallery (Art Taipei) (2023) The Triumph of Ignorance; ArtInformal (2023); Antonyms of Meaning; West Gallery (2022), Unknown Unknowns; ArtFair Philippines/Projects (2022), The Ennead; Secret Fresh Gallery (2018); Acme; West Gallery (2018); Postcolonial Rubbish; Pablo Gallery (2017); Self-Portrait as a Hamburger; Secret Fresh Gallery (2016); There is no Solution because there is no Problem; Underground Gallery (2016); Confessions of an Almost Artist; West Gallery (2013); Bubblegum Stories; Secret Fresh Gallery (2012); Eat my Daddy; The Crucible Gallery (2012); Some Failed Attempts in Creating a Good Image for Painting; West Gallery (2011); The Color Bringer; Secret Fresh Gallery (2011); Fear Made me Do This; Lost Projects (2011).
Calleja's work has been included in various group exhibitions both local and international, published in Toy Art 2.0 (2014), Philippines: Inter Tropical Convergence Zone Contemporary Artists from the Philippines Imago Mundi - Luciano Benetton Collection (2014), Calleja was shortlisted in the 2023 Sovereign Asian Art Prize and his animations have been featured in a number of NFT exhibitions including "NFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Art" at Art Basel in Hong Kong (2022), “Tez Art Mtl” in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2022) and “Living System: An NFT Show” at SEA Focus in Singapore (2023). Bjorn Calleja also the created the Stoopid Avatar Project (2021), a satirical PFP project minted on the Tezos blockchain.
Born in 1981 in Manila, Calleja’s background in painting, drawing, sculpture, animation and installation art has given him a diverse skill set that he uses to create his distinctive works. Over the years, he has exhibited both locally and internationally, participating in solo and group exhibitions. His art is often infused with humor and playfulness, yet beneath the surface lie deeper philosophical and social undertones that provoke thought and introspection.
The central focus of Calleja’s work is the human condition. He explores themes of identity, perception, and the absurdity of existence by distorting the human form in surreal, yet strangely familiar ways. Despite their distorted shapes, his figures evoke a visceral connection with the viewer, triggering a sense of familiarity that draws them into the artwork. Calleja frequently plays with scale and proportion, using exaggerated forms to highlight the tension between the grotesque and the ordinary. His style is deeply influenced by contemporary surrealism and incorporates elements of caricature and cartoon aesthetics. This unique visual language allows his work to stand out as it weaves together humor and metaphor, resulting in images that are as visually striking as they are intellectually engaging.
Calleja’s art is more than just an exercise in surrealism; it is also a form of social commentary. The playful and exaggerated elements in his work often carry a critique of modern life. By distorting the human form and placing it in bizarre, dreamlike contexts, he reflects on how individuals navigate societal expectations and the internal conflicts that arise from these pressures. His work invites viewers to reconsider the norms and assumptions that shape their understanding of the world. Through his surreal distortions, Calleja makes the invisible visible, encouraging a reconsideration of what is taken for granted in everyday life.
Calleja’s unique approach has earned him significant attention in the art world, particularly in Southeast Asia. His exhibitions have been well-received both regionally and internationally, with collectors and critics praising his distinct blend of surrealism, humor, and social critique. His work has been featured in numerous art fairs and galleries, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the contemporary Filipino art scene.
Through his art, Bjorn Calleja blends humor, absurdity, and social critique in his surreal, distorted depictions of the human figure. His work encourages viewers to reflect on their own identities, question the nature of perception, and find beauty in the grotesque. By pushing the boundaries of conventional representation, Calleja offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on modern life, challenging us to look deeper and engage more meaningfully with the world around us.
Solo exhibitions: Alone with Everybody; Tang Contemporary Art (Beijing Dangdai) (2024), 369; West Gallery (2023), Thus and So; Leixiang Gallery (Art Taipei) (2023) The Triumph of Ignorance; ArtInformal (2023); Antonyms of Meaning; West Gallery (2022), Unknown Unknowns; ArtFair Philippines/Projects (2022), The Ennead; Secret Fresh Gallery (2018); Acme; West Gallery (2018); Postcolonial Rubbish; Pablo Gallery (2017); Self-Portrait as a Hamburger; Secret Fresh Gallery (2016); There is no Solution because there is no Problem; Underground Gallery (2016); Confessions of an Almost Artist; West Gallery (2013); Bubblegum Stories; Secret Fresh Gallery (2012); Eat my Daddy; The Crucible Gallery (2012); Some Failed Attempts in Creating a Good Image for Painting; West Gallery (2011); The Color Bringer; Secret Fresh Gallery (2011); Fear Made me Do This; Lost Projects (2011).
Calleja's work has been included in various group exhibitions both local and international, published in Toy Art 2.0 (2014), Philippines: Inter Tropical Convergence Zone Contemporary Artists from the Philippines Imago Mundi - Luciano Benetton Collection (2014), Calleja was shortlisted in the 2023 Sovereign Asian Art Prize and his animations have been featured in a number of NFT exhibitions including "NFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Art" at Art Basel in Hong Kong (2022), “Tez Art Mtl” in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2022) and “Living System: An NFT Show” at SEA Focus in Singapore (2023). Bjorn Calleja also the created the Stoopid Avatar Project (2021), a satirical PFP project minted on the Tezos blockchain.
© 2024
