ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL is pleased to present Thy Will Be Done, a solo exhibition by Leslie de CHAVEZ (b. 1978), from May 1 (Fri) to June 20 (Sat), 2026. Ten years after his 2016 solo exhibition When Reason Sleeps at ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL, Leslie de CHAVEZ returns to Korea with the exhibition of approximately 15 works, spanning painting, video, and installation. Leslie de CHAVEZ has consistently explored contemporary issues by delving into the complex social and historical contexts of his native Philippines—probing the history of cultural imperialism and colonialism, the realities of contemporary life, and the absurdities of politics and religion. By deconstructing and reconstructing iconic images, texts, and symbols of the era through biting metaphors, he candidly reveals the social and temporal symptoms of our time. His practice continues to reflect a deep concern for the roles, functions, and ripple effects that art must perform within society.

Spanning the third and fourth floors of ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL, the exhibition brings together works that sit at the intersection of various concepts shaping today’s cultural, social, and political environments in the Philippines and beyond. In particular, the exhibition examines how faith functions as a medium that projects, interprets, and at times misreads notions of dominance, control, obedience, and conformity, as well as acceptance and resignation. Through this lens, the exhibition explores how individuals and society continuously negotiate and reconcile the personal and collective subjectivity they strive to maintain amidst the pressures of faith and authority.

Exhibition Theme

Thy Will Be Done and “Bahala Na”

The expression “Bahala Na,” deeply rooted in Filipino culture, represents a universal mindset of the Filipino people. Literally translated as “come what may” or “whatever happens, happens,” the phrase reflects an attitude of accepting fate. It signifies a willingness to embrace uncertainty after doing one’s best, while simultaneously hinting at a form of resignation toward circumstances beyond individual control. The exhibition title, Thy Will Be Done may seem similar to “Bahala Na,” but it carries a heavier emphasis on obedience and conformity to a divine will. This nuance is closely tied to the unique national identity of the Philippines, where over 90% of the population is Catholic. Derived from the Lord’s Prayer, this phrase goes beyond merely accepting uncertain outcomes; it represents a profound trust and entrustment to an order or purpose already designed by a transcendent power.

Both expressions share a common ground in acknowledging human limitations and recognizing a force greater than oneself. Despite the diverse modes of individual life, these phrases encapsulate the characteristically receptive attitude of the Filipino people as they endure an uncertain reality and strive toward tomorrow. It is their unique mode of survival—a way to protect oneself and find resilience within a grand narrative that no individual can control. This mindset functions as a psychological and spiritual defense mechanism against an opaque future, while also serving as the driving force that compels humans to move forward despite uncertainty. Leslie de CHAVEZ paradoxically adopts these expressions to highlight the contradictions between individual religious devotion and the collective desires fueled by social systems. He contemplates how individuals, placed under the massive structures of faith and authority, negotiate—and sometimes resist—to maintain their subjectivity. Ultimately, the artist emphasizes the importance of the self in determining one’s own life amidst external regulations. His works invite us to reflect on the existential modes of both personal and collective selves that we must never lose, even at the point where faith and reality collide.

“The Philippines is a kaleidoscope of inconsistencies and paradoxes. The persistent socio-cultural situation is a result of the country’s protracted history of colonization and subjugation, and it is a constant struggle between third-world survival and self-determination. We Filipinos have embraced and practically endlessly emulated everything Catholic and Hollywood throughout our continuing past. All of these factors, along with the tropical environment, make the setting perfect for colonizing our perception of time, which is typically presented as being permanently open, flexible, and free. A wonderful circumstance to distract ourselves from the rigors and tribulations of our everyday lives.”

– Excerpt from the Artist’s Note

Venue
ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL (85 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea) 3F, 4F

Artists
Leslie de CHAVEZ

Exhibition Dates
1 May – 20 Jun 2026

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Saturday | 11AM – 6PM

Website
https://www.arariogallery.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/arariogallery.official/

Contact
info@arariogallery.com

About Artist

Born in Manila in 1978, Leslie de CHAVEZ received his BFA in Painting from the University of the Philippines in 1999 and is currently based in the Philippines. He has held solo exhibitions at ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL (Seoul, Korea) in 2026 and 2016; Gajah Gallery Singapore (Singapore) in 2025; Silverlens (Singapore) in 2021 and 2013; ARARIO GALLERY SHANGHAI (Shanghai, China) in 2018; and Liverpool Hope University (Liverpool, UK) in 2015. He has participated in group exhibitions at Gajah Gallery Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) in 2025; Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia) in 2019; Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art (Jeju, Korea) in 2015; ARARIO MUSEUM in SPACE (Seoul, Korea) in 2014; López Museum and Library (Manila, Philippines) in 2014; and Singapore Art Museum (Singapore) in 2013 and 2012. A two-time award winner (2014; 2010) of the Ateneo Art Awards for Visual Art. Leslie de CHAVEZ is also the director/founder of the artist-run initiative Project Space Pilipinas, in Lucban, Quezon.

(Text and images courtesy of ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL)