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SarimanokDecolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino FolkloreSize: 1400 x 1400 pixelsMedium: Digital ArtArtist: IJWBAAYear: 2025
IJWBAA’s Sarimanok artwork reimagines the legendary Maranao bird through decolonial minimalism, blending tradition with a contemporary aesthetic. The piece distills the essence of the Sarimanok into geometric simplicity, focusing on bold, unembellished forms that emphasize its cultural symbolism. By stripping away unnecessary ornamentation, the artwork challenges colonial artistic influences that historically reshaped indigenous narratives.
For centuries, the Sarimanok has been revered as a symbol of prosperity, nobility, and spiritual connection in Maranao culture, often appearing in art, textiles, and ceremonial displays. Its intricate details once reflected the rich visual traditions of pre-colonial Filipinos. However, colonial rule introduced European artistic conventions that sought to redefine indigenous representations, shifting their meaning away from their original cultural contexts.
IJWBAA’s approach reclaims this heritage, allowing the Sarimanok’s form and vibrant palette to speak for itself. The choice of colors—green, blue, yellow, and red—echoes its connection to nature and Philippine identity, while the minimalist execution removes imposed artistic standards. This reinterpretation reaffirms the power of Filipino folklore in contemporary spaces, demonstrating that cultural identity can thrive without external influence or dilution.
For centuries, the Sarimanok has been revered as a symbol of prosperity, nobility, and spiritual connection in Maranao culture, often appearing in art, textiles, and ceremonial displays. Its intricate details once reflected the rich visual traditions of pre-colonial Filipinos. However, colonial rule introduced European artistic conventions that sought to redefine indigenous representations, shifting their meaning away from their original cultural contexts.
IJWBAA’s approach reclaims this heritage, allowing the Sarimanok’s form and vibrant palette to speak for itself. The choice of colors—green, blue, yellow, and red—echoes its connection to nature and Philippine identity, while the minimalist execution removes imposed artistic standards. This reinterpretation reaffirms the power of Filipino folklore in contemporary spaces, demonstrating that cultural identity can thrive without external influence or dilution.
Featured OnWebsite:IJWBAA, The Collective Registry of Artists, Art Future Club, September 2026 https://www.artfutureclub.com/artists/ijwbaa
Social Media:Filipino Mythology, Art Future Club Hong Kong, Instagram, Jan 25, 2025. https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOxgVmsNYq.
Media:Artells Magazine New York USA - Sense.View.Style July (Vol 3412), July 24 2025, https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3128869The Global Filipino Magazine UAE - Filipino Artist IJWBAA Redefines Minimalism with a Decolonial Lens, May 27, 2025. https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/filipino-artist-ijwbaa-redefines-minimalism-with-a-decolonial-lens
Publications:Collect Artwork Org - Men Art (Special Edition), Vol 61,? Tbilisi Georgia, March 13, 2025, https://www.collectartwork.orgIJWBAA. Artells Magazine (digital and print) - Fine Art and Visual Arts, Vol 3194, New York USA, May 14, 2025. https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3073196IJWBAA. Sarimanok. 365 Art+ Magazine, no. 76, 15 Mar. 2025, p. 36, https://ko-fi.com/s/225b940ddd.IJWBAA. Decolonial Minimalism. Photobook, mm/dd/yyyy, p. #. - coming soon
Exhibitions:IJWBAA. Filipino Folklore and Identity: What Makes a Filipino? The Wrong Biennale – 7th Edition, Open Pavilion, 1 Nov. 2025 – 31 Mar. 2026, LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ijwbaa-eej-wah.What Makes a Filipino? VR Exhibit, OncyberIO, 1-30 Apr. 2025. https://oncyber.io/what-makes-a-filipino.
Social Media:Filipino Mythology, Art Future Club Hong Kong, Instagram, Jan 25, 2025. https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOxgVmsNYq.
Media:Artells Magazine New York USA - Sense.View.Style July (Vol 3412), July 24 2025, https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3128869The Global Filipino Magazine UAE - Filipino Artist IJWBAA Redefines Minimalism with a Decolonial Lens, May 27, 2025. https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/filipino-artist-ijwbaa-redefines-minimalism-with-a-decolonial-lens
Publications:Collect Artwork Org - Men Art (Special Edition), Vol 61,? Tbilisi Georgia, March 13, 2025, https://www.collectartwork.orgIJWBAA. Artells Magazine (digital and print) - Fine Art and Visual Arts, Vol 3194, New York USA, May 14, 2025. https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3073196IJWBAA. Sarimanok. 365 Art+ Magazine, no. 76, 15 Mar. 2025, p. 36, https://ko-fi.com/s/225b940ddd.IJWBAA. Decolonial Minimalism. Photobook, mm/dd/yyyy, p. #. - coming soon
Exhibitions:IJWBAA. Filipino Folklore and Identity: What Makes a Filipino? The Wrong Biennale – 7th Edition, Open Pavilion, 1 Nov. 2025 – 31 Mar. 2026, LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ijwbaa-eej-wah.What Makes a Filipino? VR Exhibit, OncyberIO, 1-30 Apr. 2025. https://oncyber.io/what-makes-a-filipino.
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