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.

Malakas at Maganda

Malakas at Maganda

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Legends

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

IJWBAA’s Malakas at Maganda artwork reinterprets the Philippine creation myth through decolonial minimalism, presenting it in a minimalist, geometric style that resists colonial artistic influences. The piece simplifies the legendary figures, emphasizing their symbolic emergence from nature while stripping away colonial artistic conventions. By presenting Malakas (Strong) and Maganda (Beautiful) in a minimalist form, the artwork resists Westernized depictions of creation narratives, reclaiming indigenous Filipino visual storytelling.

The myth of Malakas at Maganda is deeply rooted in pre-colonial Tagalog beliefs, where humanity is said to have emerged from a split bamboo stalk. This origin story reflects the Filipino connection to nature, resilience, and unity. However, colonial influences often reshaped indigenous myths, imposing foreign artistic styles and interpretations that distanced them from their original cultural significance.

IJWBAA’s approach rejects these colonial distortions, allowing the figures’ simplified forms and bold colors to speak for themselves. The restrained composition shifts the focus from decorative embellishment to the essence of the myth—strength, beauty, and harmony with nature. This reinterpretation reclaims Filipino heritage, proving that tradition can evolve while remaining deeply connected to its historical roots.

Featured On

Website:

coming soon

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.