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.

Manananggal

Manananggal

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Folklore

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

IJWBAA's Manananggal artwork exemplifies decolonial minimalism by stripping away colonial artistic conventions and reclaiming indigenous Filipino visual storytelling. The piece reduces the Manananggal to geometric abstraction, emphasizing its split form—a direct reference to its mythological ability to separate its upper and lower body. This minimalist approach resists Western horror aesthetics, instead centering the creature’s cultural significance within Philippine folklore.

Historically, the Manananggal is deeply rooted in pre-colonial animistic beliefs, where supernatural beings were seen as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. Before Spanish colonization, Filipino mythology was rich with shape-shifters and nocturnal entities, reflecting indigenous fears and respect for unseen forces. The Manananggal, with its ability to transform and prey on vulnerable individuals, embodies themes of duality, transformation, and power, which were prevalent in early Filipino spiritual traditions.

During the colonial era, Spanish missionaries demonized indigenous beliefs, associating creatures like the Manananggal with evil and superstition. This led to a shift in perception, where the creature became a symbol of fear rather than an entity tied to animistic traditions. IJWBAA’s artwork reclaims this narrative by presenting the Manananggal in a stripped-down, modernist form, rejecting colonial-era horror tropes and restoring its place within Filipino cultural identity.

By presenting the creature in a minimalist yet deeply cultural frame, the piece challenges dominant narratives, proving that tradition can thrive in modern spaces without dilution or compromise. This approach not only reclaims visual storytelling but also serves as a declaration of artistic sovereignty, amplifying indigenous perspectives in contemporary digital art. The work stands as a testament to how folklore can evolve while remaining deeply connected to its historical roots.

Featured On

Website:

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Social Media:

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

Media:

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:

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.

Paper:

Hafalla, P. (2025). Decolonial Minimalism in Art: Reclaiming Space, Silence, and Memory. Academia.edu, May 23, 2025. https://www.academia.edu/129488482/Decolonial_Minimalism_in_Art_Reclaiming_Space_Silence_and_Memory_by_IJWBAA_Paul_Pao_Hafalla