Kapwa Gardens Mural Proposal

Above is a mock up of my proposal for the Kapwa Gardens entrance. The example artwork in each cut-out is still in progress and will include more variety of fruits, vegetables and other domestic imagery.

My Kapwa Gardens Mural proposal is based on the idea of abundance and resiliency within the Filipino community and is represented through wooden cutouts decorated with beloved fruits and vegetables such as guava, calamansi, cherymoya, moringa and bittermelon. Growing up in the Bay Area, I have an appreciation for Filipino gardens tended by intergenerational communities. These gardens are a metaphor of both the immigrant and Fil-Am experience - planting roots of a tropical flora and adjusting the soil to acclimate to the microclimates of San Francisco Bay Area. This constant dedication of care and nourishment so that a garden may thrive is reflective of the Filipino community.

The mural will be painted on four sheets of 3/4"- 4' x 8' Birch Plywood that will be cut into geometric shapes, using a skill saw for large cuts and a jig saw for curves and details. These shapes will be a reference to domestic iconography such as stairs and windows while also nodding to the contemporary art of San Francisco artist, Leo Valledor. Before applying the work, I will prep the wood by sanding the surface area smooth and add a few layers of acrylic matte medium and gesso. For the artwork itself, I plan to use a mixture of liquitex acrylic paint and house paint as the main mediums and of course use a variety of tools such as paintbrushes, knives and masking tape. The color palette will be bright and vibrant, inspired by the fruit and vegetable gardens and homes of the San Francisco Bay Area.

What makes these gardens special is the strength of interconnectedness and the continuation of tradition being passed down to new generations. Knowledge is shared from lolas and lolos, to mothers and fathers, to aunties and uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings and so on. As we know in Filipino culture, conversations are often centered around the kitchen or dining table. When someone has a stomach ache, a suggested remedy might be guava leaf tea which an auntie conveniently has on hand. Or talks of someone who knows someone who successfully grew that stubborn moringa tree. Or the one and only time I have heard of the filipino gardener who was able to grow real taro (not purple yam). Familial taste of the Philippines creates this sense of home and instant connection, a starting point for conversation that ends in a shared meal. Or sometimes one simply wants to spread the joy and share their own abundance by gifting you a surprise by leaving a plastic bag full of calamansi on your front steps for you to discover.