KATA I and KATA II

KATA I (left) and KATA II (right) form a visual dialogue about identity, migration, resilience, and belonging. The word Kata evokes “you” and “I”; when brought together, the two works become “we”—a shared identity shaped by individual journeys and collective experience.

Inspired by Philippine corals, the artworks reflect the resilience of Filipinos living and working across the world. Like fragments of coral that can take root, regenerate, and form new colonies, Filipinos carry pieces of home wherever they go. Despite displacement and separation, they adapt to unfamiliar environments, build relationships, and create new communities while remaining connected to their cultural roots.

The broken and divided forms suggest migration, distance, and the emotional experience of leaving one’s homeland. Yet these fragments are not symbols of weakness. They embody survival, renewal, and the ability to begin again. The intricate organic patterns represent the memories, traditions, and personal histories carried across borders.

The dark vertical lines acknowledge migrant workers whose labour, sacrifices, and contributions often remain unseen or unrecognised. They interrupt the vibrant imagery like barriers, borders, and social divisions, while also standing as markers of presence and, insisting that these individuals be seen and remembered.

Together, KATA I and KATA II honour the Filipino migrant experience. The works transform “you” and “I” into “we,” affirming that wherever Filipinos are placed in the world, they find ways to grow, connect, and create a community, and it is a living reef shaped by courage, belonging, and hope.

In my work, each of the migrant workers is recognised and honoured.