Research
Samm Occeno’s recent body of work emerges from artistic research and sustained reflection on Filipino identity—an identity shaped by multiplicity, movement, and contradiction. Formed within an archipelagic context, identity resists singular definition and fixed narratives. Rather than resolving these tensions, Occeno allows them to remain present, approaching tradition as something continually reshaped through lived experience, popular culture, and an ongoing negotiation of self and society.
Shades of Identity: Unveiling Filipino Folk Art Aesthetics From Tradition to Resistance
This project delves into folk art’s grace,
Filipino aesthetics in their unique embrace.
I’m drawn to their charm, their vibrant play,
In color, line, texture, shape on display.
A visual quest, where these traits shine bright,
Unveils the essence of their distinct light.
Through textures and hues, the patterns unfold,
Aesthetic inquiry in each story told.