IJWBAA [eej-wah] is a Filipino digital artist and the first Filipino recognized in the Techspressionism movement. He is a neologist and the originator of Decolonial Minimalism—an art movement that reclaims minimalism through ancestral memory and cultural reawakening. His works, compiled in two volumes of I Just Wannabe an Artist, have been recognized, officially archived, cataloged, and made available in the collections of the Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo Reina Sofía, the National Museum of the Philippines, Getty Research Institute, and other prominent cultural institutions worldwide.

About

biography CV, Portfolio, Statement, & Catalogue Raisonné

IJWBAA [eej-wah] (I Just Wannabe an Artist), also known as Paul "Pao" Hafalla, is a pioneering Filipino digital artist born in Manila with deep roots in Pangasinan. His work blends digital media with decolonial thought, introspection, and abstraction—reclaiming Filipino identity through minimalist visual strategies. Drawing inspiration from Rothko, the Venus de Milo, and Giacometti, IJWBAA fuses classical influences with contemporary digital techniques, creating a distinctive aesthetic rooted in what he now defines as Decolonial Minimalism.

This artistic framework informs his practice: using restraint, symbolism, and digital abstraction to reinterpret Filipino myths, garments, and cultural narratives. Works like Barong Tagalog and Baro't Saya, Alamat ng Sampaguita, Manananggal, Aeta, Anitun Tabu (Goddess of wind and rain), and Habi serve not as decorative pieces, but as visual acts of resistance—subverting colonial imprints while celebrating ancestral knowledge. His minimalist style—geometric, colorful, and emotionally grounded—speaks to the quiet power of reclaiming form, space, and meaning from imposed histories.


Exhibitions and Virtual Innovation

In his immersive virtual exhibitions, IJWBAA redefines the digital art experience. His 2024 show, Kizumei Zukaka, presented by The Flux Review UK via OncyberIO, explores memory and identity through surreal, interactive landscapes. In 2023, Homage to Icons, hosted by The Arches Project UK, reimagined the works of art historical figures using digital media. These exhibitions demonstrate his ability to fuse technology and storytelling—crafting emotionally resonant and intellectually grounded experiences for global audiences.


Global Resonance and Advocacy

IJWBAA’s art fosters dialogue on kindness, resilience, and cultural unity. His participation in international initiatives like Fight for Kindness (Italy) and the Adelaide Festival (Australia) highlights his global relevance. His contributions to The Incognito Art Show (2025–2026) and The Wrong Biennale align his work with causes championing accessibility, inclusion, and social consciousness in contemporary art.

Behind this success is a story of perseverance—overcoming health challenges, societal pressures, and early rejections. These personal struggles fuel his creative process, infusing each work with emotional honesty, cultural memory, and quiet defiance.


Recognition and Legacy

IJWBAA is the first Filipino artist recognized in the Techspressionism movement (USA), a testament to his innovation in digital art. His works are housed in permanent collections of esteemed institutions, including: Getty Research Institute (Los Angeles, USA), Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy), Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid, Spain), MAC Montréal (Canada), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (Japan), Library of Congress (USA), British Library (UK), Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt), National Museum of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, National Library and Archives UAE, National Library Board (Singapore), Asia Art Archive (Hong Kong), Royal College of Art (UK), Tokyo University of the Arts (Japan), University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines).

He was a finalist at the 2022 ArtsFighters competition in Milan and placed second at World Children’s Day (unofficial) in Paris.


Vision

As a leading voice in Filipino digital art, IJWBAA continues to expand the possibilities of contemporary expression. Through Decolonial Minimalism, he offers a quiet yet powerful reclamation of heritage—inviting audiences to confront, remember, and reimagine. His work is not just about form, but freedom.