April provokes a new project

I have a new goal, thrust upon me by the muses: continue where Earth Fabric left off... as expected, my old friend and collaborator April Jardine Limuran is to blame. 

For the unitiates, our collaboration on Earth Fabric lasted more than a year (on-and-off) and involved a lot of frustration, a lot of growth. About half of the EF pieces were collaborative collage works, as we communicated what we found intriguing in design and worked together to create a narrative exploring aspects of identity, belonging, creation. The beauty of this collaboration was that it was undertaken apart from any popular style (and accompanying burdens of expectation). Placing a wedge between the artwork and audience, carving out a zone of free exploration, has been lifelong mission. Unfortunately, this path is also remuneration free.

I watched April create this piece in one afternoon 2012, on a beach in Boracay. A year later, I was back in the Philippines and suggested we collaborate. She readily accepted - and we were off!

If this new piece is any indication, April has grown by leaps and bounds, into one of the most original artists in the Philippines (my words, not hers). Self-tutored and having grown up near Boracay, this kite surfing enthusiast and mother of two says this piece, with its recurring shell and tile elements, took two weeks to complete. She was particularly inspired by visiting the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. Now living in Ermita, working for a call center, she has her feet firmly planted on the ground. 

I do hope to convince April to take one more collaborative flight - another art/poetry project. Who knows, this could be the one that allows us to escape the grind of content designed to fit the Silicon Valley yoke, make it as creative artists.

April and I have one thing in common creatively: we are both autodidacts.

The artist, succeeding on her own terms.