It was with great pleasure that I was able to work on graphic design for my entry to the DC Arts Center‘s Wallmountables exhibit. I created two pieces that reflect my Filipina-American heritage.
Both art pieces are love letters to my Filipina roots. They incorporate elements of the Philippines culture.
Maharlika (Royalty)
She is wearing a blue dress with terno sleeves featuring a pattern of the Philippines flower sampaguita. Her crown is inspired by the star of the Philippines flag. The pattern behind her is a traditional Visayan tattoo design. The circle element features repeated motifs of a sampaguita flower in an oval shape. The yellow words that form an arc above the circle element are a Tagalog proverb written in precolonial script Baybayin. It says “Ang pag-ibig ang dapat manahan sa puso ng bawat nilalang,” which means “Love should dwell in the heart of every creature.”
Reyna (Queen)
She is wearing a red dress with alampay (pañuelo) shawl. Her crown is made of sampaguita flowers. In the red banner are the words “Ako ay mananaig,” and its English translation “I will prevail.” While creating this piece I was inspired by the story of the Phoenix that rose from the ashes of the fire. Her wings, red dress and the red background are a nod to this story. I chose this theme because of the many struggles I endured and eventually overcame. The lyrics are from a song I performed recently at the Philippines Independence Day Festival at Mosaic District.