BIOGRAPHY

Philippine born Cicero deGuzman Jr. lives in Kingston NY, and has worked as a photographer and art director. In deGuzman’s earlier photographic works, he takes a documentary approach to capturing behind the scenes stories in the fashion and motorsport industries, this includes projects with Helmut Lang, Nicholas K, K/ller Collection, Yamaha Motors Europe, and
Harley-Davidson. deGuzman has exhibited his documentary motorcycle photography in the U.S., Canada, England, Brazil, and Switzerland. Additionally, deGuzman art directed magazines for several publishing houses including Conde Nast, Hearst, and Time Inc. where the experience of conceiving, constructing, and continually manipulating precise images of fashion and beauty would later inform the contrasting directions of his current artistic studies. In these personal works, deGuzman utilizes motion, chance decisions, and technically imperfect photographic exposures to rouse an unpredictability of composition, form, and outcome. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

My current lens based project tentatively titled "With My Eyes Closed" began in 2020. In these figurative artworks, I employ mis-focus, mis-exposure, and movement to heavily abstract and minimize form. I experience this process with little control, learning to welcome each moment revealed with acceptance and gratitude. Initially, I could see that the work was a reaction to the overly contrived images I produced as an art director, but as the work continues and evolves, more personal contemplations related to memory, impermanence, and the beauty inherent within imperfect states arise.