Kapisanan/Kami:
Mga Piraso ng Tahanan - Bangon Exhibit
Artist Statement
"Mga Piraso ng Tahanan" or "Pieces of Home" consists of a screen-printed and hand-painted background representing Leyte as my hometown in the Philippines, and Toronto as my new home in Canada. It also consists of five photos for each "tahanan" that represents the things I found around Toronto that are, in a way, common with what the Philippines have.
As a first-generation, Filipino-Canadian, I have learned that it is important to always remember your roots and where you came from no matter how far home is. "Tahanan" means home in Tagalog and it is embroidered on the centre of the piece. The embroidery symbolizes traditional art during pre-colonial times in the Philippines; a common hobby for most women. It does not only mean home as a structure but also conveys the feeling of being comfortable in a place.
This piece represents what we are now, and why I rise. My ancestors walk with me as I forge new paths. Teach others our culture, reclaim, and inspire the next generation to connect with our heritage.
MATERIALS:
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Black Fabric Paint
Canvas Fabric
Embroidery Kit
Mod Podge Photo Transfer
Oil
CREATIVE PROCESS:
1. Drafting ideas on paper:
2. Digitalizing ideas in Illustrator and Photoshop:
layout of monochrome photos
layout of monochrome photos under written responses for "what do you rise up for?"
layout of photos in coloured version
layout of photos in coloured version under written responses for "what do you rise up for?"
CONCLUSION:
For my final idea, I ended up using the coloured version and instead of putting phrases underneath, it would be an embroidered word "Tahanan" that means "Home" in English.
PRODUCTION METHODS/WORKFLOW AND TOOLS:
1. Used a projector to trace what needs to be embroidered.
2. Instead of screen printing the details, I hand-painted it.
4. Embroidered word.
5. Layout photos.
6. Used mod-podge for transferring photos onto fabric canvas.
8. Added tiny details to make it look complete.
FINAL PRODUCT:
Exhibit at Playground Cafe