Marigold Santos Reclaims Aswang Mythology in Celestial Paintings
Marigold Santos, an artist of Filipino-Canadian descent, was born in Manila and moved to Canada in 1988, currently residing in Montreal. Her artwork delves into themes of cultural injustice and diasporic identity, often featuring figures inspired by the aswang from Philippine folklore, which she uses to symbolize self-determination. Santos aims to reclaim these stories, noting that colonizers utilized aswang myths to vilify indigenous beliefs. In her latest series, 'shroud transfiguration,' she presents nude figures in trance-like poses, depicted in sepia hues. A graduate of the University of Calgary and holder of a master's from Concordia University, she began her tattoo practice in 2017, drawing on pre-colonial Filipino traditions. Motherhood shapes her exploration of labor and survival. This article is featured in the newest issue of Hi-Fructose.
Key facts
- Marigold Santos is a Filipino-Canadian artist born in Manila and immigrated to Canada in 1988.
- Her work is inspired by aswang, shapeshifting monsters from Philippine folklore, which she reinterprets as symbols of self-determination.
- Aswang mythology was created as a colonial tool to demonize indigenous beliefs and babaylan shamans.
- Her recent series 'shroud transfiguration' features nude forms in trance-like states with obscured faces.
- She studied drawing and printmaking at the University of Calgary and earned a master's from Concordia University.
- She trades skills with other artists, once exchanging tattoos for ceramic lessons.
- She began tattooing in 2017, connecting with pre-colonial Filipino tattooing traditions.
- Motherhood has added a focus on labor, self-care, and survival to her work.
Entities
Artists
- Marigold Santos
Institutions
- University of Calgary
- Concordia University
- Hi-Fructose
Locations
- Manila
- Canada
- Montreal
- Philippines