February 7, 2023 thru
April 9, 2023
Featured image courtesy of the artist
About the exhibition
ChiChai frees her Pinay roots from its history of colonial oppressions through her artwork. Being raised by nourishing yet firm and powerful women, her illustrations depict elements of nature as women spirits. Through fashion design, painting and mixed media, ChiChai aims to honor indigenous craftsmanship, the matriarch that has raised her, and Mama Earth.
For Reroot, ChiChai plays with the idea of reconnecting, despite being “planted” away from the motherland. This collection of work is an ode to being part of the diaspora and the daughter of a single mother and adoptee. She merges motifs of the Philippines and the Bay through the garments and illustrations for reclamation.
Reroot is on view from February 7th, 2023 – April 9th, 2023
About the artist
ChiChai (she/her) is an artist, educator, and community-gatherer born and raised in Occupied Ohlone Land, also known as the Bay Area. Whether teaching or creating, ChiChai’s work is intersectional in its roots to nature, feminism, and the dismantling of colonial mindsets. Through fashion design, murals and mixed media, ChiChai aims to honor indigenous craftsmanship, the matriarch that has raised her, and Mama Earth. You can catch her teaching art and how to use art as a tool for decolonizing to youth and adults. ChiChai received her MA in International Studies from University of San Francisco (2016), in which she was awarded Most Original Thesis for her master’s thesis “Challenging Filipino Colonial Mentality through Philippine Art.” She has taught youth for various nonprofits throughout the Bay Area, including Destiny Arts, Galing Bata, and Youth Art Exchange.
Meet the artist
ChiChai will be at SOMArts on Thursday, February 23, 6:00–9pm! Visit The Ramp Gallery for a chance to meet the artist talk about their work and inspiration, have a drink and enjoy their artwork! While you’re here, stop by the opening for the Muni Raised Me exhibition.
Artwork in the show
Small case
Tara Na!
Paper, acrylic and gouache on wood
16 x 20 in.
2023
$606
Big case
Left to right
A Landscape: Buhok Namin
Paper, acrylic, and gouache on wood
2.75 in. 12.5 in.
2023
$383
Barangay in da Bay
Paper, acrylic, gouache and banana leaves on wood
11.5 in. X 13.5 in.
2023
$444
Reroot
Paper, acrylic, gouache and banana leaves on wood
48 in. X 24.75 in
2023
$3,303
For sale inquires please contact [email protected]
The Ramp Gallery is an artist-driven exhibition space at SOMArts that is currently accepting applications for four-week long solo and group shows. An opportunity for entrepreneurial artists to ramp up their careers by exhibiting at one of San Francisco’s most dynamic hubs for art and community, the high-visibility location of The Ramp Gallery is adjacent to the main entrance of SOMArts and open to all local artists in the Bay Area. To learn more about the space please visit, The Ramp Gallery.