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.

Duende

Duende

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Folklore

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

With a focus on decolonial minimalism, IJWBAA’s Duende artwork reduces the creature to its core elements, using geometric abstraction to reclaim indigenous visual storytelling. The piece simplifies the small, mischievous figure, emphasizing its connection to nature and folklore while stripping away colonial artistic conventions. By presenting the Duende in a minimalist form, the artwork resists Westernized depictions of supernatural beings, reclaiming indigenous Filipino visual storytelling.

The Duende has long been a fixture in Filipino and Iberian folklore, often depicted as a forest spirit or house-dwelling trickster. In pre-colonial traditions, these beings were believed to guard nature, interact with humans, and influence daily life. However, colonial influences reframed the Duende as a sinister entity, reinforcing narratives that demonized indigenous beliefs and spiritual connections.

IJWBAA’s approach rejects these colonial distortions, allowing the Duende’s form and subdued color palette to speak for itself. The restrained composition shifts the focus from fear to cultural reflection, demonstrating that folklore can evolve without losing its essence. This reinterpretation reaffirms the power of Filipino mythology in contemporary spaces, proving that cultural identity can thrive without external influence or dilution.

Featured On

Website:

coming soon

Social Media:

Filipino Mythology, Art Future Club Hong Kong, Instagram, Jan 25, 2025. View post

Publications:

Collect Artwork Org - Men Art (Special Edition), Vol 61, Tbilisi Georgia, March 13, 2025, Website

IJWBAA. Artells Magazine (digital and print) - Fine Art and Visual Arts, Vol 3194, New York USA, May 14, 2025. MagCloud

IJWBAA. Manananggal. 365 Art+ Magazine, no. 76, 15 Mar. 2025, p. 36. Ko-fi

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

What Makes a Filipino? VR Exhibit, OncyberIO, 1–30 Apr. 2025. Oncyber