Jong Tangiday, a respected and established sculptor based in Davao City, is renowned for his intricate wood carvings that explore folkloric and religious histories from across the Philippine archipelago. Featured in the Triennial is an untitled mahogany wood sculpture from Tangiday’s ongoing series, ‘Once upon a pre-colonial time’ 2019–present. This work draws inspiration from the imagery of the neolithic Manunggul Jar (890–710 BCE) of Palawan, an artifact from an era when the island was part of the Sulu Sultanate. The sculpture evokes a journey to the afterlife or a search for a homeland, depicting a huddled group of travellers aboard a vessel with a prow shaped like a Naga (dragon-like creature). In the centre, a young mother lifts her child aloft, looking outwards. Symbols from the ancient Baybayin script of the Tagalogs adorn the boat.

Return to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: Roots and Currents