My Entries for Babayi, Bayani Bloom 2023 Group show

Babayi, Bayani is a group show by Bloom, a group of women artists. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to help the families of drug war victims. The exhibit is at Stall 9 Gallery, 2nd flr, Silingan Cafe, Cubao X Araneta Center, Cubao. The exhibit runs from March 1–31. Exhibition notes are available here.

But laughter, dear, is subversive

Gouache, acrylic, collage

9” x 12”

“But laughter, dear, is subversive” is a quote from the novel State of War by Ninotchka Rosca. Humor has long been used as a political weapon. It takes courage and discernment to effectively critique people in power as well as ordinary citizens, a practice in democracy that does not resort to violence. It has the ability to diffuse tension while simultaneously throwing a punch, to stick to people’s memory, and spread like wildfire. As George Orwell once said, “Every joke is a tiny revolution”. Laughter is subversive, political or not, because it is an expression of optimism , of being able to face the future, or of not letting anything defeat a person, and having the last laugh.

The fight for your voice is a fight for your vision.

Papercutting, mixed media

9” x 12”

“Who are we without a story

Washed away like sea to sand

But we survive the roughness of glory

By passing the beat

Of the beat of the heart

From hand to hand”

“The Revolutionists”, Lauren Gunderson

“Money Talks, Women Don’t”, a New York Times headline read. For much of history, women and talking are thought to be two things that didn’t go together well, from being denied the right to education to being known to be more talkative than men and to spread gossip quickly. On the contrary, stories are integral to our collective identity and have more power to resonate with people, at times even in spite of differences. Stories are remembered more easily, and for that reason are able to stand the test of time. As the spy from the play “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson once said, “It may be fiction, but it’s not fake”.This artwork was made in light of encouraging women to speak up for their rights, to assert their vision, and to share their stories that may make an impact to others. Women need only to tap into their inherent need to open a dialogue and discover a community they can find solidarity in or a platform to build upon their calling.

To Lead the Way

Goauche

9” x 12”

In the background, there is a guiding hand of an adult reaching out to a child’s hand, while in the foreground, a child holds a bird, representing the spreading of wings. This represents the older generation preparing the younger generation to lead the way. As Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”.