PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL 2024
Photography
LEIA MAMINTA SMITH
Leia Maminta Smith grew up in the Philippines. She moved to the US in pursuit of science and completed her PhD in Tumor Cell Biology from Northwestern University. She trained in molecular biology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and at the National Cancer Institute, Maryland. She worked in academic and biotech organizations and is currently a scientific consultant. To explore her love of photography, she immersed herself in learning more about the history, techniques and business of photography. She is a co-Vice President of Seattle Photographic Society. She has earned multiple awards from the Northwest Council of Camera Clubs and Shoreline Arts Festival. She enjoys doing family portraits and travel photography.
Artist Statement
Capturing the moment and preserving the memories are my primary motivations in taking photographs. I see amazing images all around us and appreciate the beauty in minute details of life, in the grandeur of nature, and in the warmth of human relationships. A photograph is both art and science to me since it can show the beauty in the details, document the essence of life or the significance of an event. I love to experiment with perspective and colors, and find subjects that may look ordinary and see them in a different light. I found joy in photography, in seeing the unexpected and creating images that bring happy memories and hope.
Al is a graphic designer and multimedia artist based in Quezon City, Philippines. He got his BFA degree in Visual Communications at the University of the Philippines. For this exhibit, his large landscape photographs feature the grandiose natural beauty of the Philippines that inspires awe and amazement from travelers. Playing with exposure, contrast, color, and perspective, Alarilla's photographs demonstrate how one can weave with light, and in turn create thought-provoking images of the Philippines.
ALDRICH ALARILLA
JOHNEDEL MATIAS
My name is Johnedel Matias. I am an Ibaloi Igorot-Filipino Canadian, a person of Indigenous decent from the northern mountains of the Philippines. My ancestry consists of my mom whom hails from Kabayan and my dad from Bocod, both mountain towns of the Ibalois in the province of Benguet. Throughout the years, I've gone on many adventures where I've documented my experiences. My background and personal inspiration coalesce with my vision of photojournalistic documentation. My influences and inspiration can be directly attributed to various mediums and people I look up to. I have found inspiration through photography from people from my community and heritage as well as others more well known. The outdoors, my personal experiences, as well as my own cultural background all inspire my vision and what I do with photography.
Artist Statement
The theme of “Weaving Together” is a phrase that is a living expression of us Igorots. Long has the practice of weaving been a staple of our people. The purpose of which has also been one of the connections we have had with the low lands for centuries in terms of trade. From Ifugao Nation, Sagada Weaving, Kabayan Weaving, Nardas, Easter Weaving and others whom I missed to mention, all these mentioned and more are those who keep the practice alive. From labourers to folks that still practice as part of their family tradition, our people have long continued this thread of our heritage alive. With a few of these pictures I wish to share a glimpse into our rich history, our rich heritage, and the living tradition that is in our fabric and blood. Thank you for allowing me to share these with you and thank you to the folks who made these pictures happen.
