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.

Sarimanok

Sarimanok

Decolonial Minimalism Founding Work - Filipino Folklore

Size: 1400 x 1400 pixels

Medium: Digital Art

Artist: IJWBAA

Year: 2025

Description:

IJWBAA’s Sarimanok artwork reimagines the legendary Maranao bird through decolonial minimalism, blending tradition with a contemporary aesthetic. The piece distills the essence of the Sarimanok into geometric simplicity, focusing on bold, unembellished forms that emphasize its cultural symbolism. By stripping away unnecessary ornamentation, the artwork challenges colonial artistic influences that historically reshaped indigenous narratives.

For centuries, the Sarimanok has been revered as a symbol of prosperity, nobility, and spiritual connection in Maranao culture, often appearing in art, textiles, and ceremonial displays. Its intricate details once reflected the rich visual traditions of pre-colonial Filipinos. However, colonial rule introduced European artistic conventions that sought to redefine indigenous representations, shifting their meaning away from their original cultural contexts.

IJWBAA’s approach reclaims this heritage, allowing the Sarimanok’s form and vibrant palette to speak for itself. The choice of colors—green, blue, yellow, and red—echoes its connection to nature and Philippine identity, while the minimalist execution removes imposed artistic standards. This reinterpretation reaffirms the power of Filipino folklore in contemporary spaces, demonstrating 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. 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. Sarimanok. 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.