I'm an International student from the Philippines. I create fantastical illustrations of stories and characters using my trusty little iPad, so my artworks are with me wherever I go. My art springs from my desire to create stories and characters that would one day connect, entertain, and inspire individuals. However, for this specific artwork, I took a personal turn and illustrated a chapter of my life; immigrating to Canada.
Bait
iPad Pro, Procreate, 4096 x 1714 pixels/ 42.67 " x 17.85 "
This artwork portrays my feelings after a few years of living here in Canada. My family worked hard to get us here, as I was told Canada held a bright future for me that my home country could never provide. However, we were not prepared for all the political issues, wars, and economic instability that greeted us after the Pandemic in Canada. Canada left us to dry, like fish out of water, and we're stuck here. The three panels represent the process of immigration from my home to Canada; the first to the left is my painting of a famous volcano from where I was born, Mount Mayon (a former volcano). The fish represents me, or any individual really, who gets hooked by promises of a better life in a foreign land. This fishing rod is red, as it is a play on the "Red Strings of Fate" from Chinese mythos (I am half Chinese) where two people are tied and destined to be together by a red string. But for me, I am tied to Canada. The panel in the middle shows the successful immigration to Canada. Notably, it mimics the style of the Group of Seven painters, the mountains I painted being the ones in BANFF, as this was how Canada is portrayed to me; filled with beauty and promise. But then, the last panel, is when illusion is broken by reality. When I realise the struggles we have to endure to survive and thrive in a foreign land. A fish out of water, left to dry and lured by an empty promise.
