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.

Barong Tagalog

Barong Tagalog

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Identity

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

The artwork embodies a nuanced celebration of cultural identity, presenting the Barong Tagalog as a timeless symbol of heritage and elegance through a minimalist yet evocative lens. Against a serene backdrop, the intricate embroidery of the garment emerges as the central motif, representing the refinement, resilience, and depth of Filipino tradition. Every delicate stitch and translucent weave speaks to generations of craftsmanship, seamlessly connecting the past with contemporary reinterpretations.

In Filipino folklore, the Alamat ng Mangga tells of enchanted seeds, whispered warnings, and the birth of mango trees through divine intervention. Whether through the kindness of Tandang Isko or the mysterious appearance of a diwata, the story reveals how harmony between humans, animals, and nature gives rise to abundance. The mango becomes more than a fruit—it is a living testament to gratitude, transformation, and the unseen forces that shape our world.

This visual interpretation resists literalism, instead embracing the symbolic language of color and form to honor the mango’s cultural roots. It reclaims the narrative from colonial simplifications, restoring the mango tree as a sacred figure in the Filipino imagination. Through abstraction, the artwork invites viewers to reflect on how myths are not just stories of the past, but living frameworks for identity, ecology, and belonging.

Featured On

Website:

coming soon

Social Media:

coming soon

Media:

coming soon

Publication:

IJWBAA. Decolonial Minimalism. Photobook, mm/dd/yyyy, p. #. - coming soon

Exhibitions:

IJWBAA. Filipino Folklore and Identity: What Makes a Filipino? The Wrong Biennale – 7th Edition, Open Pavilion, 1 Nov. 2025 – 31 Mar. 2026, LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ijwbaa-eej-wah.