Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: Roots and Currents is a multi-artist project that focuses on the contemporary art of the island of Mindanao and the nearby Sulu Archipelago, including Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. Located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, the Mindanao region has a rich and fascinating culture, yet its artists are often marginalised by regional isolation, an environment of instability and conflict, inaccessibility, or perceptions of their indigenous status or Islamic culture. This project brings together artwork from across the ‘tri-culture’ of indigenous, Bangsomoro (Islamic) and settler-root peoples. Textiles, woodcarving and ceremonial baskets are shown alongside paintings, video and sculpture, raising awareness of local stories, cultural heritage and innovation, indigenous knowledge, social justice and self-determination specific to the region. Among the many highlights are new paintings by Talaandig cultural leader Salima Saway Agra-an, carved Tausug kites (Taguri) by Rameer Tawasil; and innovations on ikat weaving by Blaan artist Alfred Sarino.

Artists

Ulih ACUB
Maimona KUSAIN
Minal P SALUNSUN
Iranun people
Born unknown, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines
Live and work in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines

Harija ALAW
Tausug people
Born 1968 Parang, Sulu, The Philippines
Lives and works in Guimba Lagasan, Parang, Sulu
Nadia ALLIH
Tausug people
Born 1984 Sulu, The Philippines
Lives and works in Guimba Lagasan, Parang, Sulu

Karma Gadjali AMILBANGSA
Tausug people
Born 1976, Lagasan Asibih, Maimbung, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Kasamalan, Maimbung
Ruhina Rajik MUJAIMER
Tausug people
Born 1994, Maimbung, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Kasamalan, Maimbung

Krisher Bayani APPAY
Tausug people
Born 1995, Jolo, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Lawm Suwah, Parang, Sulu

Adjani ARUMPAC
Born 1984, General Santos City, Philippines
Lives and works in Quezon City, Philippines

Kiri DALENA
Born 1975, Iligan City, Philippines
Lives and works in Manila and Iligan City, Philippines

Cian DAYRIT
Born 1989, Manila, Philippines
Lives and works in Manila, Philippines

Joel GEOLAMEN
Born 1972, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, Philippines
Lives and works in Sto. Tomas

Bilma AUSALIN HATAMUN
Yakan people
Born 1973, Parangbasak, Lamitan, Basilan, Philippines
Lives and works in Parangbasak

Misrifa A JUHAILI
Tausug people
Born 2000, Parang, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Bagsak, Parang, Sulu
Nursima A JUHAILI
Tausug people
Born 1982, Parang, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Bagsak, Parang, Sulu

Mijan JUMALON
Born 1985, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Lives and works in Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines

Julie LLUCH
Born 1946, Iligan City, Philippines
Lives and works in Quezon City, Philippines

Almanis MADJIDUL
(Tausug people)
Born 1988, Lumbaan Mahaba, Parang, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Kajatian, Indanao, Sulu
Radzimir Hailil MADJIDUL
Tausug people
Born 1987, Karawan, Indanan, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Kajatian, Indanan
Shaidalyn Jadi ZALDY
Born 1999, Lumbaan Mahaba, Parang, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works Lumbaan Mahaba

Yab Trulan MAN
Tboli people
Born 1964, South Cotabato, The Philippines
Lives and works in Klubi, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Rhudsia Jamih MOHAMMAD
Sama people
Born 1959, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
Lives and works in Nunukan, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi

Noemi OFONG
Tboli people
Born 1969, South Cotabato, The Philippines
Lives and works in South Cotabato

PIGURAS DAVAO
Established 2016, Davao City, Philippines
Live and work in Davao City
Raymund Ric Bisnar, born 1983 / Rey Bollozos, born 1967, Cagayan de Oro City / Dominick Pilapil, born 1990, Davao City / Rene Pilapil, born 1959 Davao City / Bryan Cabrera, born 1980 Davao City / Kim Vale, born 1992, Davao City / Mark Tolentino, born 1984, Davao City / Dominic Turno, born 1987, Davao City / Alfred Galvez, born 1967, Davao City / King Nelson Duyan, born 1994, Davao City)

Silling SABTURANI
Tausug people
Born 1980, Patikul, Sulu, Philippines
Lives and works in Patikul

Alfred (SOY) SARINO
Blaan people
Born 1992, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines
Lives and works in Towak, Matanao, Davao del Sur

Salima SAWAY AGRA-AN
Talaandig people
Born 1988, Lantapan, Bukidnon, Philippines
Lives and Works in Lantapan, Bukidnon, Philippines

Raymond (Jong) TANGIDAY
Born 1970, Davao City, Mindanao
Lives and works in Davao City, Philippines

Rameer TAWASIL
Tausug people
1969–2023
Born 1969, Jolo, Philippines
Lived and worked in Jolo and Zamboanga City

Chong TECSON
Talaandig people
Born 1994, Songco, Bukidnon, Philippines
Lives and works in Songco

Mark TOLENTINO
Born 1984, Davao City, Philippines
Lives and works in Piapi Boulevard, Davao City, Philippines

Judelyn Mae VILLARTA
Born 1995, Valencia, Bukidnon, Philippines
Lives and works in Bukidnon

Mohammad N Haji ZAMAN
Meranaw people
Born 1983, Raya, Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
Lives and works in Tugaya