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.
Publication & Featured On
Type: Publication (Online Press Release)
Location: Wyoming, USA
Publisher: IssueWire
Date Published: July 6, 2025
PR Note: I Just Wanna Be an Artist: Book 3 – A Manifesto in Motion
Type: Publication (online dictionary)
Location: Arizona, United States
Publisher: Definitions.net by STANDS4 Network
Date Published: June 28 and July 2, 2025
Words/Meaning: Decolonial Minimalism, and IJWBAA
Type: Publication (art magazine)
Locations: Lancaster, Georgia
Publisher: Porridge Magazine (online & print)
Date Published: June 27, 2025
Artist's Entry Piece
Title: Family
Media: digital art
Sizes: 1400 x 1400 pixels
Year: 2024
Description: "Family" by IJWBAA is a heartfelt tribute to the Filipino concept of family, portraying it as the foundation of cultural identity rooted in unity, respect, and unconditional support. The minimalist design captures the purity of familial bonds, with larger figures symbolizing revered elders and smaller ones representing children as bearers of hope and continuity. Warm gradient tones of yellow and red evoke the joy, resilience, and loving spirit of Filipino households, while the earthy brown background anchors the piece in heritage and tradition. Subtle red accents hint at the individuality within each family member, emphasizing the Filipino value of personal identity within collective unity. As a visual metaphor for bayanihan—the spirit of communal effort and solidarity—the artwork reflects the deep emotional and cultural significance of kinship in Filipino life.
Type: Publication (art magazine)
Location: Milan, Italy
Publisher: Figgi Magazine – Sense View Style June (Vol 1608) (print & digital)
Date Published: June 25, 2025
Artist's Featured Piece
Titles:
Type: Digital Art
Size:
Year: 2025
Description:
Type: Publication (online dictionary)
Locations: New York USA and London United Kingdom
Publisher: Collins Dictionary by HarperCollins Publisher
Date Published: June 15 & 20, 2025
Words/Meaning: Decolonial Minimalism and Decolonial Minimalist
Type: Publication (online dictionary)
Location: San Francisco California, United States
Publisher: Urban Dictionary
Date Published: June 15, 2025
Words/Meaning: Decolonial Minimalism, decolonial minimalist and IJWBAA
Type: Publication (online dictionary)
Location: Arizona, United States
Publisher: Abbreviations.com by STANDS4 Network
Date Published: June 16, 2025
Abbreviation/Meaning: IJWBAA - I Just Wanna Be an Artist
Type: Publication (online magazine)
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Title: Filipino artist IJWBAA redefines minimalism with a decolonial lens
Publisher: The Global Filipino Magazine
Date Published: May 27, 2025
Artist's Featured Piece
Titles: Decolonial Minimalism (founding works)
Media: Digital Art
Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels
Year: 2025
IJWBAA said, “Minimalism is often associated with sleek design, white spaces, and emotional detachment—concepts shaped by Western art history. But I’ve chosen to reclaim and redefine that language. My minimalism isn’t cold or empty; it’s rooted, grounded, and full of ancestral memory. Every line, shape, or color I use carries weight—whether it’s a forgotten myth, a trace of colonial trauma, or a quiet homage to Filipino resilience.”
Type: Publication
Location: New York, USA
Title: Quiet Power: How I Elevate Filipino Art Through Decolonial Minimalism
Publisher: Digital Arts Blog
Date Published: May 26, 2025
Artist's Featured Piece
Titles: Decolonial Minimalism (founding works)
Media: Digital Art
Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels
Year: 2025
Interview (part of): I don’t exactly know my surname, but I have a name: IJWBAA—until the moment I reclaimed “Decolonial Minimalism.“ Minimalism is more than aesthetics—it’s a lens, a reclamation, a resistance. Stripped of colonial frames, it becomes a space for truth. A space where I exist, fully.
Type: Publication (art magazine)
Location: New York, USA
Publisher: Artells Magazine - Vol 3194
Date Published: May 14, 2025
Artist's Featured Piece
Titles: Filipino Folklore
Type: Digital Art
Size: 2550 x 3300 pixels
Year: 2025
Description: IJWBAA, a Filipino digital artist, reinterprets Filipino mythology through minimalist digital art, using bold colors and geometric forms to portray iconic figures such as the Malakas at Maganda, Tikbalang, Bathala, Sarimanok, Manananggal, Aswang, Kapre, Duende, and Tiyanak. Each artwork merges traditional folklore with contemporary design, employing symbolism and striking palettes to give ancient myths a fresh, modern voice.
Type: Publication (art magazine)
Locations: NYC, USA
Publisher: 6X Media - Fine Arts | Vol 119
Date Published: May 1, 2025
Artist's Entry Piece
Title: What Makes a Filipino?
Media: digital art
Sizes: 1400 x 1400 pixels
Year: 2025
Description: This vibrant digital art collection by IJWBAA captures the essence of Filipino culture, heritage, and traditions. Featuring powerful visuals of Barong Tagalog, Baro’t Saya, Fiesta, Street Foods, Tsinelas, Pamilya, Filipino Time, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, each artwork reflects the deep-rooted values, resilience, and colorful spirit of the Filipino people. Dive into this visual journey celebrating identity, history, and the everyday life that defines the Philippines.