Recognitions, Awards, Contests, and Affiliations
Explore the key milestones in IJWBAA’s journey as a digital artist. This page highlights the prestigious awards he has won, the recognitions he has earned, and the contests he has triumphed in. From major art competitions to features by renowned museums and galleries, discover how IJWBAA’s work has been celebrated globally. Additionally, learn about his professional affiliations with prominent art institutions, showcasing his impact and influence within the digital art world.
Recognitions
The "I Just Wannabe an Artist" books 1 & 2 by IJWBAA have been recognized, officially archived, cataloged, and made available in the collections of several prominent institutions worldwide, including:
Institutions
Getty Research Institute - Los Angeles, USA | Nov 19, 2024
Cultural Center of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Nov 22, 2024
Museums
Uffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy | Dec 27, 2024
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Madrid, Spain | May 27, 2024
Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MACM) - Quebec, Canada | May 22, 2024
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan | April 17, 2024
National Museum of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | March 18, 2024
Libraries
Library of Congress - Washington DC, USA | March 12, 2024
British Library - London, United Kingdom | March 4, 2024
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) - Egypt, Africa | March 17, 2024
National Library and Archives UAE - Middle East | Dec 4, 2024
National Library Board (Southeast Asia Collection) - Singapore | September 2, 2024
National Library of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Feb 12, 2024
Asia Art Archive - Hong Kong, China | March 13, 2024
Schools
Royal College of Art - London, United Kingdom | November 15, 2024
Tokyo University of the Arts - Tokyo, Japan | November 15, 2024
University of the Philippines, Diliman - Manila, Philippines | November 21, 2024
Art Movements
Title: Decolonial Minimalism
Location: Philippines
Founded by: IJWBAA aka Paul 'Pao' Hafalla
Date Founded: May 21, 2025
Title: Techpressionism
Location: New York, USA
Date Recognized: September 10, 2024
Note: IJWBAA is the first Filipino artist to be recognized in the groundbreaking Techspressionism movement, an innovative artistic genre that merges digital technology with emotional expression. Known for his unique approach to blending traditional Filipino artistry with modern digital tools, IJWBAA’s work explores themes of identity, culture, and the intersection of humanity with technology. His recognition in this avant-garde movement highlights not only his individual talent but also the growing influence of Filipino artists on the global digital art scene. Through his thought-provoking pieces, IJWBAA challenges conventional boundaries, capturing the rawness of human emotion in a rapidly advancing technological world.
Awards and Contests
Nominee, Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn, Sunnyvale California USA | Sep 18, 2024
Nominee, NFT Design Awards, Como Italy | Sep 2, 2024
Participant, UTGP 2024 - Discoveries of the Louvre, Louvre Museum and Uniqlo, Paris France - Family | Sep 24, 2023
Finalist, Fight 14, ArtsFighters, Milan Italy - Pirate | Dec 26, 2022
2nd Place, World Children's Day (unofficial), Paris France - Children of Meta | Nov 20, 2022
Type: Contest
Title: 12th Hii Illustration International Awards
Organizer: Hiibrand
Location: Nanjing, China
Dates Submitted: March 10 and 15, 2025
Status: Currently in the 2nd round stage of Hiii Illustration 2024, with a few hundred entries selected from a total of 4680 submissions across 60 countries.
Artist's Entry Piece
Media: digital art
Description: IJWBAA's "Family" uses minimalist shapes and bold colors to represent the roles and values of a Filipino family. The father symbolizes strength and wisdom, the mother nurturing and elegance, while the children embody continuity and joy. In another work, the abstract Sarimanok reimagines the mythical bird with vibrant colors and geometric forms, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. Both pieces celebrate Filipino culture through striking, minimalist designs.
Affiliations
