Kawayan de Guia (b. 1979)

Artist and curator Kawayan de Guia is one of the most intellectual and fascinating participants in contemporary art circles today. Using a series of seemingly disconnected images, de Guia constructs socio-philosophical narratives through mixed media assemblages. Hailing from Baguio, Philippines, de Guia draws strongly on Baguio's local visual vernacular, and combines this with other religious, political and historical imagery from the larger Philippine culture. Our Father in Heaven (Ama Namin Sumasalangit Ka) is an outstanding example of de Guia's working method. In the background is an old colonial photograph, interspersed with various revolutionary images overhead, including a red curtain poised as though about to fall; as well as Baguio artefacts built into the wooden frame. The deliberately unrefined materials and installed elements use texture and tactility to further convey the artist's intended sensibility.