Unveiling The Witch

Relief Sculpture

Instead of just looking at the witch as a mythological being, Coleen wanted to ground the very conception of the witch from a Philippine historical perspective impacting the notions of power in a post-colonial queerness and woman. The first tile is the representation of the pre-colonial queer in the Philippines - a Babaylan whose ability and skills were highly regarded by her society, usually, she's a woman but a man can be a Babaylan if she appears as a woman - she speaks for power, empowerment, and the absence of gender roles. Contrarily, the third tile represents the aftereffects of colonialism.

She’s now tensed and blurred as reflected by the vanishing details in the hands and the face with its closing veil contrasting the more liberating woman (by her veil) from the first tile and when bearing such power like the Babaylan, she could be labeled as witch and worse, persecuted. Coleen also carved triangles to imply the societal position of queers and women during their respective times.

The texts she carved also depict how colonialism and Christianity ruined the indigenous notion of queerness and women in the Philippines (tile 3), the skills and knowledge of a Babaylan, and what makes her essential to her community (tile 1).

Finally, the second/middle tile represents the very contrasting and similar qualities of these queer women (through the witch) in a yin and yang position. Additionally, I added the snakes to imply the effects of colonialism and Christianity.

Artist

Coleen Gianah Sevillano

The Philippines

Coleen Gianah Sevillano, a Filipino student-artist from the University of the Philippines Diliman, creates work that challenges societal norms and explores the intersections of culture, gender, and art. With a background in the social sciences and a deep passion for art history and visual arts, she conceptualizes her pieces through the lens of these disciplines to engage with pressing political and contemporary social issues. Using visual metaphors and symbolism in her sculptures and paintings, Coleen invites her viewers to reflect on equality, lived struggles, and social truths. Her interdisciplinary approach is amplified by blending the qualities of surrealism, expressionism, and impressionism, producing thought-provoking art in 2D and 3D forms.

Actively involved in the competitive Philippine art scene, Coleen has gained recognition in national competitions in the Philippines, from Shell Corporation, Manila Bulletin, United Nations, and local governments units, among many more.