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.

Baro't Saya

Baro't Saya

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Identity

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

The artwork captures the quiet dignity and enduring grace of the Baro’t Saya, distilling this iconic Filipino attire into a form of minimalist poetry. Rendered through geometric abstraction and soft gradients, the image transcends traditional representation to focus on essence over embellishment. The contrast between the pristine white blouse and flowing beige skirt evokes the elegance and resilience embedded in Filipino heritage.

Set against a gradient of gold and shadow, the figure emerges like memory—both timeless and evolving. Stripped of facial features or adornment, the silhouette becomes universal, inviting viewers to see themselves or ancestors in its form. This piece becomes not just an ode to clothing but a meditation on the quiet strength of women across generations, whose stories often remain unwritten but are carried in fabric, form, and presence.

With serene restraint, the visual language of the Baro’t Saya reclaims cultural identity through contemporary minimalism—preserving the past not in preservation, but in transformation. It speaks softly, yet with conviction, reminding us that heritage need not shout to be heard. Let me know if you’d like a one-liner or SEO caption for it too.

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Website:

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Media:

Digital Arts Blog NY USA - Quiet Power: How I Elevate Filipino Art Through Decolonial Minimalism, May 26, 2025. https://www.digitalartsblog.com/community-blog/quiet-power-how-i-elevate-filipino-art-through-decolonial-minimalism-ijwbaa

The Global Filipino Magazine UAE - Filipino Artist IJWBAA Redefines Minimalism with a Decolonial Lens, May 27, 2025. https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/filipino-artist-ijwbaa-redefines-minimalism-with-a-decolonial-lens

Publications:

Philippine Art Zine - title, date, url link = coming soon

6x Media (digital and print) - Fine Arts, Vol 119, pages 54–56, New York USA, May 1, 2025. https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3065525

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

Exhibitions:

IJWBAA. What Makes a Filipino, VR Exhibit, OncyberIO, April 1-30, 2025. https://oncyber.io/what-makes-a-filipino.

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.