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.

Kapre - Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work

Kapre

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Folklore

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

IJWBAA’s Kapre artwork reclaims indigenous Filipino visual storytelling, rejecting colonial artistic conventions through a minimalist and modernist approach. The piece simplifies the towering, tree-dwelling figure, emphasizing its presence through geometric abstraction and restrained composition. By removing excessive detail, the artwork resists Western horror aesthetics, instead focusing on the Kapre’s role as a guardian of nature in Philippine folklore.

The Kapre has long been a fixture in Filipino mythology, often depicted as a giant with dark skin, wild hair, and a cigar, residing in ancient trees like the balete or acacia. Historically, it was seen as a protector of the forest, ensuring balance between humans and nature. However, colonial influences reframed the Kapre as a menacing entity, reinforcing narratives that demonized indigenous beliefs.

IJWBAA’s minimalist approach rejects these colonial distortions, presenting the Kapre in a stripped-down yet deeply cultural frame. The bold, simplified composition shifts the focus from fear to reverence, allowing the creature’s connection to the land and its protective nature to take center stage. This reinterpretation reclaims Filipino folklore, proving that tradition can evolve while remaining deeply connected to its historical roots.

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Website:

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Social Media:

Filipino Mythology, Art Future Club Hong Kong, Instagram, Jan 25, 2025. https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOxgVmsNYq.

Publications:

Collect Artwork Org - Men Art (Special Edition), Vol 61,? Tbilisi Georgia, March 13, 2025, https://www.collectartwork.org

IJWBAA. Artells Magazine (digital and print) - Fine Art and Visual Arts, Vol 3194, New York USA, May 14, 2025. https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3073196

IJWBAA. Manananggal. 365 Art+ Magazine, no. 76, 15 Mar. 2025, p. 36, https://ko-fi.com/s/225b940ddd.

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.

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