Rommel “Yao” Sampana
Rommel Sampana was born in Bulacan, Philippines in 1988. He established an early interest in art while growing up by copying drawings from “Funny Komiks” that unconsciously cultivated his natural talent. Rommen;’s interest in visual arts grew even more when he was still a student of Fine Arts major in Advertising at the Bulacan State University and joined the prestigious shell Nation Art Competition in 2007— giving the young man his first recognition as an artist when he bagged 2nd place in the watercolor category. From then on, various national art competitions came like waterfalls that ignited his passion for painting.
His creations revolve around classic figurative painting, rendered in a contemporary manner. He’s most well-known for his paintings of hands and nude, from realism to surrealistic painting. He express different side of life, human emotions and imagination to incorporate to his works. The etheral nature of his brush strokes and palette, the shift between the realistic forms and their abstraction captures raw human emotion. Today he continues to share his love of art from his magnificent worlds of imagination.
AWARDS
First place on the spot painting competition “Salubong Festiva; Plaridel, Bulacan 2015”
Semi-finalist Metrobank Art & Design Competition September 2011
Semi-finalist Metrobank Art & Design Competition September 2010
Top ten Finalist Luzon- Philippine Art Awards 2009-2010 December 7, 2009
Semi-finalist Metrobank Art & Design Competition September 2009
3rd Honorable Mention PLDT- DPC 23rd National Students Art Competition February 6, 2009
1st Place on the spot photography competition VirgenImaculada Conception deMalolos November 26, 2008
3rd Place watercolor category 41st Shell Students Art Competition October 3, 2008
2nd Place Watercolor Category 40th Shell National Students Art Competition November 7, 2007
Solo Exhibits
2023 “Above the Desolation,” 8th solo exhibition, White Walls gallery, La Fuerza Plaza, Makati
2022 “The Pull and Push,” Mini solo exhibit, 8Rooms Creative Space, Paseo de Magallanes
2022 “Hollow,” 6th solo exhibition White Walls gallery, La Fuerza Plaza, Makati
2021 “Behind the Shadows,” 5th solo exhibition, White Walls Gallery, La Fuerza Plaza, Makati
2020 “Fake Plastic Me,” 4th solo exhibition, Provenance gallery, Shangri-la, The Fort BGC
2019 “MUSE,” 3rd solo exhibition, Ysobel Art Gallery
2018 “Entwine,” Second Solo Exhibition, Ysobel Art Gallery, Serendra mall, The Fort BGC
2015 “Half Remembered Dream,” First solo Exhibition, Gallerie Artes, Quezon City
Selected Group Exhibits / Collaborations
2025 “Echoes of the Soul,” Museo Orlina X Art for Space, Tagaytay, Cavite
2024 “Citing Dispositions,” MOCAF x Art for Space, Marquis Events Place, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
2022 “Art ZOO 10 A Decade of Art,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2021 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2021 “No Time Like The Present,” Art Zoo exhibit Stuart gallery, Malolos, Bulacan
2020 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2020 “Something is Out There,” Artzoo exhibit Finale Art File, Chino Roces, Makati City
2019 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2019 “Separate Realities,” Artzoo x Provenance Art Gallery Shangrila the Fort, BGC
2019 “Reflections,” Four man show White Walls Gallery x Nova Gallery
Makati
2018 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2018 “Fast Forward,” Art Zoo x Passion Arts Gallery Art Center SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
2017 “Art Zoo Recent Works,” Sixinch Gallery, Ronac Art Center
San Juan City, Metro Manila
2017 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2017 “Unquestionable Presence,” Art Zoo group exhibition YSOBEL gallery, Serendra, BGC
2017 “The Inevitable,” Two man Show with Brian Bernardo Provenance art gallery, The Fort, BGC
2016 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2016 “The Mamba Mentality Tour,” MANILA Mural Banner Tribute for Kobe Bryant, Permanent display at the Araneta Coliseum Quezon City
2016 Beauty and Madness /ARTZOO PASEO Gallery, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
2016 “Mystique,” group exhibit Provenance Gallery Shangrila Hotel, BGC
Taguig City
2016 “Episodes,” Two Man Exhibit With Edwin Martinez Art Underground, Mandaluyong City
2015 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2015 Long Playing Art Zoo 4th Exhibit, Art Center, SM Mega Mall
2014 “RE:VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Tuba, Benguet, Metro Baguio
2014 “Art Zoo,” 3rd exhibition Gallerie Artes, Katipunan,Quezon City
2013 “Royal Zoo,” 2nd exhibit of Artzoo 371 gallery, The Collective
Makati city
2013 “RE: VIEW Exhibit,” Gallery Indigo, Bencab Museum Asin road, Tuba, Metro Baguio
2013 “Same time. Same thing.Different sides.,” ARTZOO Exhibit Art Canter, SM Megamall