Pader ng Pinagmulan (Source Wall)
As I delved into the history of Guam as a U.S. territory, my research naturally led me to themes of colonialism and imperialism that have shaped its past and future and connections to similar themes in Philippine history. I wanted to bring together different aspects that occupy my mind - music, video games, film, social media, and even food. These seemingly unrelated elements started intertwining and forming unique combinations, ideas, and layouts in my head. In this project, I sought to capture the essence of these diverse influences and merge them into a thought-provoking collage of posters. Each element represents a different facet of our modern society, from the struggles faced by oppressed nations to the escape provided by entertainment and technology. It is an amalgamation of ideas, combining history with contemporary culture. I wanted to challenge myself to think beyond the conventional boundaries of art and create something that truly reflects the complexity of our world. By juxtaposing images, symbols, and colors, I hope to create a visual narrative that prompts viewers to question and reflect upon the complex relationship between history, culture, and contemporary influences. Each element within the collage has been carefully chosen to evoke emotions and provoke thought. It is my hope that through this project, we can initiate a dialogue about the impact of colonization and imperialism on both Guam and the Philippines, while also appreciating the beauty and complexity of cultural fusion.
Details of process:
There are 100 total poster designs
All posters are made on an accessible Phone App
All posters were made during periods when I was commuting through the city of Philadelphia
This is the installation piece I created and installed for my Michelle Angela Ortiz Fellowship Exhibition titled “KAPWA” at Da Vinci Art Alliance gallery which is a curated show of Filipino Artists from the Philadelphia/New Jersey area whose work is connected by shared themes of identity and community care, which is up for Filipino history month.
When I put this exhibition together, I knew I wanted to have themes reflecting and analyzing my identity of being Filipino by blood, Guamanian due to being born and raised on Guahan (Guam) and as an American Citizen.