Artist Bio:
Rochelle-Leah Barcelona Nuqui, is an interdepartmental Visual Arts and Theatre major from Fontana, California. Her style of art has been built around her self-identity, especially upon her ethnic background as a first generation Filipina American. She enjoys a mixture of art mediums but always loves to incorporate hand drawing in any of her project. In addition to being an art student, Rochelle is very involved in Union College Theater department’s productions and is a part of the college’s softball team. After graduating from Union College, she intends to take her art into the entertainment industry, whether it be sports, advertising, animation, or in education. This upcoming summer she is going to be assistant coaching a club softball team and taking time to herself before going to Graduate school.
Artist Statement:
As a Filipina American who for almost four years has lived in a college environment less diverse than in my home state of California, I have pushed to learn about my culture and its traditions through art about Philippine folklore. The art I have been creating about the folktales of the Philippines, creates a connection between my wandering identity and my homeland I have only seen in pictures. Beneficially learning the folktales and myths keep my cultural roots growing in a place I feel sometimes disconnected to and the big reason why I chose to create a short animated film alongside a performance on the Philippine folktale, “Ang kuwento ng araw at buwan” translating to “The Story of the Sun and Moon.” This creative journey has taken me through highs and lows, from the technical animation processes to artistic roadblocks and small accomplishments along the way. The anticipated outcome is to be able to engage with the Union College community with my projected short film and performance, to showcase what it means for myself to be Filipina American. And if you are not able to attend the performance, I hope you will feel inspired and comforted by this folktale animated on screen.