Minuyungan iti Lagip

(Garden of Memory)

Ciano Umok Gallery

Bauang, La Union, Philippines

May 01 - June 01, 2024

North Vancouver-based artists and siblings Karl and Khim Mata Hipol unveil their evocative exhibition, “Minuyangan iti Lagip” (Garden of Memories), at their place of origin in Bauang, La Union, Philippines. This garden-fresh collection of photographs serves as a reflective ode to their roots, exploring themes of remembrance, identity, and the shared experiences of Filipino immigrants in Canada.

The idea of memory and its influence in shaping identity and cultural fabric is a crucial component of this exhibition. The brothers employ the metaphor of a garden as a haven for memory, cultivating a space that resonates with personal and collective narratives. In the context of the Filipino diaspora, the artists examine the entanglement of belonging, history, and nostalgia into their growing body of work through the utilization of objects and archival collections. This garden they nurture together invites visitors to wander the spectrum of memories, from intimate familial connections to broader societal reflections.

Karl Mata Hipol delves into the realm of archival photography, drawing inspiration from museum archives while highlighting the gaps and invisibility of Filipino representation in history within mainstream art institutions. The resulting artworks in the exhibition challenge Filipinos' invisibility despite their contributions to their adopted and/or homeland, Canada's cultural, social, and economic fabric. This research aligns with a broader discussion about decolonizing museums and diversifying stories to include marginalized perspectives and voices.

His series "Weaving Heritage - Atang" expands upon limited documentation, weaving Ilocano cultural heritage into the framework of archival narrative. Karl utilized two photographic slides depicting cemetery scenes captured in Manila, Philippines, archived by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Archives, and Special Collections for his artworks. Additionally, he gathered images of Flowers native to British Columbia from the same collection to adorn the scenes and interwoven Ilocano Inabel designs to create new archival records. Karl invites us to confront and celebrate the rich tapestry of Filipino history and culture within the Canadian landscape.

Together, Karl and Khim Mata Hipol's collaborative exhibition, "Minuyangan iti Lagip," is an enthralling voyage of memory, identity, and enduring relationships that remind us of our past. The siblings combined artistic vision cultivates a space where narratives spring to life, motivating viewers to contemplate their journeys and the memories that shape their identities. The Hipols' distinct yet complementary approaches invite viewers to engage deeply with the entanglements of personal and collective histories and to contribute meaningfully to broader discussions about representation and cultural preservation in contemporary art.