ChiChai (she/her) is an artist, educator, and community-gatherer born and raised in Occupied Ohlone Land, also known as the Bay Area. She frees her Pinay roots from its history of colonial oppressions through her artwork. In all mediums she creates in, ChiChai aims to honor indigenous craftsmanship, the matriarch that has raised her, and Mama Earth.
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 for various programs throughout the Bay, including Galing Bata and Youth Art Exchange.
Hai! I’m ChiChai!
Accolades
Certificate of Honor by the
City of San Francisco for mural Pagsasama Sama
San Francisco, CA
2024
Kapwa Gardens Mural Residency
San Francisco, CA
2024
Filipinx Teaching Artist Fellowship
Root Division and Galing Bata
San Francisco, CA
2018-2020
“Most Original Research” for thesis Challenging Colonial Mentality with Philippine Art
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
2016
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 your healing. 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.