ChiChai (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and community-gatherer born and raised in Occupied Ohlone Land, also known as the San Francisco Bay Area.
Whether teaching or creating, ChiChai's work is intersectional in its roots to nature, feminism, and the dismantling of colonial mindsets. You can catch her teaching art and how to use art as a tool for decolonizing to youth and adults.
ChiChai received her MA in International Studies from University of San Francisco (2016), in which she was awarded Most Original Thesis for her master's thesis "Challenging Filipino Colonial Mentality through Philippine Art." She has taught youth to seniors for various nonprofits and organizations throughout the Bay Area, including Destiny Arts, Galing Bata, and Youth Art Exchange.
I am ChiChai.
My master's thesis hypothesized that by engaging in art that reps your culture(s) , you are making steps in dismantling your colonial mentality. In other words, the wounds passed down from the colonizers' teachings can heal when creating art or interacting with art for us and by us.
And, with deeper appreciation of self and cultural identity,
we become more open and welcoming of others cultures as well.
Therefore, art is part of our collective healing.
My biggest hope with my work is that it is part of yours. Whether posing at a mural or adding one of my creations to your OOTD, I know damn well that seeing interactions like in these photos is part of my own healing for sure.
Accolades
SOLO EXHIBITION
REROOT
Mar 2023
Ramp Gallery - SOMArts
San Francisco
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SOLO EXHIBITION
Matapang at Walang Hiya
Aug 2022
Four Barrel Coffee
San Francisco
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RESIDENCY
Kapwa Gardens Mural Residency
Jul 2021 to Oct 2021
Kultivate Labs / Balay Kreative
San Francisco
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FELLOWSHIP
Filipinx Teaching Artist Fellowship
Jul 2018 to May 2020
Root Division
San Francisco
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ACADEMIC AWARD
MOST ORIGINAL THESIS:
Challenging Filipino Colonial Mentality with Philippine Art
Dec 2016
Master of Arts in International Studies - University of San Francisco
San Francisco