I had a dream shortly after my mother passed in 2013. When I was alone with her in her final moments, the expression on her face was fear, not of what was to come, but of what might happen to me in her absence. But when I saw her in this dream, she was peaceful. She was happy. And her face and hands were covered in glowing golden patterns that shifted with the light.
It wasnât until years later that I learned that in the Visayas, and throughout much of the Philippines, our traditional markings are meant to guide us to our ancestors in the afterlife. They light our path, and they make us recognizable to our loved ones.
She has not visited me since that dream. And yet, as I learn more and more of our cultural inheritance, I see her every day. And I know Iâll be in her presence again.
Happy Motherâs Day to all the mothers in my life. And Peace to those for whom this day is deeply complicated.
What an honor itâs been to work alongside @daniciamonet and @its_alysenicole to bring this exhibition to life. This process felt right from day one, and the last several days in Philly have felt like a kind of homecoming filled with friends, great food, and family I havenât seen in a decade. If youâre on the east coast or planning to visit, please go see what weâve been working on at @temple_contemp . You can catch it now through June 27!
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#art #contemporaryart #publicart #design
A small sampling of Rising Up, which felt like a love letter to some of the most deeply ingrained values within Philadelphiaâs civic identity.
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#art #museum #artist #rocky #gobirds
Giving myself permission to take my time and see some things on the way. If youâre in Philly, come thru on Saturday to see Spaces of Encounter at @temple_contemp
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#art #publicart #contemporaryart #artist
It was a lot of love at the opening celebration of our cityâs newest contemporary art museum. And to have had the opportunity to participate in its realization is an honor. Since joining the long-term artist residency program in 2024 my practice has expanded in ways I never expected, and Jules and I have had the opportunity to build a life for ourselves that we simply could not have outside of this program. A museum by artists for artists is one our community deserves. Huge congratulations to everyone who makes this place possible!
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#art #contemporaryart #artmuseum
The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis opens its doors very soon! Follow the link in my bio to learn more from @nytimes about how the museumâs founders are shifting the field. Or catch the article in print this Sunday!
đ¸: Lee Klafczynski
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#art #contemporaryart #artmuseum #museum #gallery
Iâve never really loved the cold, but this orchidâs gonna get me through it. Very excited that this piece bloomed in its first year, and eager to see it fill out even more over the course of our next turn around the sun.
Pictured with painted panels from @mitsusalmon 2019 performance of Out/In Aka.
I am both thrilled and grateful to begin new work as a 2025 DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award recipient from @artscouncilindy , supported by Christel DeHaan. This grant makes space for risk taking and experimentation, with an exhibition ahead at Gallery 924. Many thanks to the Arts Council of Indianapolis and to the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, and congratulations to all of this yearâs recipients!
Learn more at IndyArts.org
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#DeHaanArtistofDistinction #IndyArtsCouncil #art #contemporaryart
