Cloe Lourdes Fule

“What is your favorite artwork?”

Curatorial Rationale

Identity is never simple or fixed. It’s constantly shifting, shaped by personal experiences, culture, history, and the expectations placed upon us. This exhibition explores the intricacy of human identity through different artistic styles and mediums, each piece representing a unique perspective on what it means to exist in a world that defines us before we can define ourselves. Through this collection, I want to challenge the idea of identity as something static, instead presenting it as fluid, multifaceted, and deeply personal.
At the heart of this collection is the tension between internal identity and external influences. Some works highlight the personal struggle of self-definition, while others explore cultural heritage, societal expectations, and historical legacies that shape identity in both visible and invisible ways. The goal is to create a space where viewers can reflect on their own experiences, seeing parts of themselves in these works while also gaining insight into perspectives that may be different from their own.
The pieces in this exhibition vary but are all connected by a common thread: the search for authenticity. A pencil drawing of a solemn nun, her eyes twinkling like stars, represents the internal conflict between faith and personal identity, particularly in a modern world where traditional beliefs can sometimes clash with one’s identity. The stars reflect the push and pull between devotion and self-discovery. Another piece blends Filipino and American cultures, incorporating both English and Tagalog—along with Baybayin, an ancient script—into a graffiti-inspired composition. This fusion of traditional and contemporary elements speaks to the experience of navigating multiple cultural identities, where the past and present constantly intersect.
A digital artwork takes identity exploration a step further, allowing viewers to engage with layered textures and vibrant colors. Similarly, another work visualizes the constraints placed on self-expression—depicting a face bound by external forces, its buttoned features, and stitched lips symbolizing the pressure to conform. Inspired by Surrealism, this piece uses bold, contrasting colors to highlight the struggle between individuality and societal expectations, a theme that resonates in different ways across many of the works in this exhibition.

Other pieces shift focus to broader cultural and historical narratives. A ceramic sculpture of interlocking puzzle pieces, inspired by Picasso’s Girl Before a Mirror, symbolizes the fragmented yet interconnected nature of identity. The bold colors and organic shapes reflect the duality of inner and outer selves, while the puzzle format emphasizes how identity is something we constantly piece together over time. Another work portrays four women of color standing in unity against prejudice, with graffiti lettering behind them spelling out "United." This piece highlights identity not just as an individual journey, but as a collective experience shaped by solidarity and shared struggles.
Beyond culture and society, identity is also shaped by the passage of time—how we change as we grow. One piece explores the contrast between adulthood and childhood, depicting a grown woman in deep blue, drained of vibrancy, while her glowing inner child emerges from a plant, symbolizing imagination and resilience. Swirling patterns and vibrant colors in the background represent the whimsy of a child’s perspective, contrasting with the muted figure. This piece reflects the universal struggle to preserve creativity and joy in the face of life’s harsh realities, urging viewers to reconnect with their own childlike wonder.

Another work takes a more personal approach, inspired by various childhood photos of mine. Using pencil as the medium, I focused on shading and lighting to recreate these moments as realistically as possible. However, surrounding the realistic figures are distinct patterns meant to symbolize the imagination and creativity so abundant in childhood. This piece serves as both a reflection and a reminder—capturing fleeting memories while also recognizing how childhood shapes the way we see the world, even long after we’ve grown.

A final work, American Dream, shifts to a contemporary, societal lens, exposing the systemic injustices faced by children of color in the U.S. Through layered imagery and text, this collage critiques racial bias, brutality, and the loss of opportunity, challenging viewers to consider how identity is shaped by the world we’re born into.

The arrangement of these works is intentional—pieces exploring internal conflict are placed near those addressing external pressures, emphasizing how personal struggles are often linked to larger cultural and societal forces. Different materials, colors, and styles reinforce the idea that identity isn’t one-dimensional—it’s textured, layered, and constantly evolving.

Chloe’s Artwork

  • Growing Up, Growing Within

    Colored pencil & pastel on paper

    21.59 cm x 30.48 cm

    For this artwork, I wanted to take an expressionist approach on one of Cecily Brown’s untitled pieces. But specifically, with my own twist, focus on the theme of childhood and explore how it is integral shaping human identity. Adding diverse patterns in the background with a vibrant color scheme will represent the whimsy that come from the lens of a child viewing the world. The centerpiece, or focal point, will be a grown woman—devoid of color and vibrancy—to represent how experiences in the real world can dim the brightness of one’s spirit. The real world is harsh and brutal, which will be displayed in a dull, monochrome color palette for the central figure. The physical manifestation of their inner child will be growing out of a plant, representing both the absurdity of a child’s imagination simultaneously with an adult’s preservation of it. In other words, the universal concept that we try to maintain our inner child through indulging in activities that cultivate creativity and genuine joy.

  • Multifaceted

    Acrylic on clay

    21.59 cm x 30.48 cm

    At first glance, the ceramic sculpture of interlocking puzzle pieces presents a playful, almost whimsical composition, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper meditation on the complexity of identity. Inspired by Picasso’s Girl Before a Mirror, the piece mirrors his exploration of self-perception, yet reimagines it through a tactile, three-dimensional form. The puzzle pieces—each uniquely shaped yet fitting together—symbolize the fragmented yet interconnected nature of selfhood, where different aspects of personality, memory, and experience coalesce to form a whole. Bold, contrasting colors echo the shifting perceptions of identity, much like how one's reflection can appear altered depending on light, angle, or emotion. The organic curves and irregular edges break the rigidity often associated with puzzle pieces, suggesting that identity is not a static construct but an evolving process of assembly and reassembly. By engaging with this piece, viewers are invited to reflect on their own shifting sense of self, questioning whether they see themselves as a whole or as an ongoing work in progress.

  • Metamorphosis

    0.7 mm pencil on paper

    22 cm x 28 cm

    Memories have a way of shifting over time, but this piece freezes them in place, drawn directly from childhood photos that hold personal significance. Using pencil as the medium, the artwork captures the subjects with careful shading and lighting, aiming for a lifelike resemblance to the original photographs. Surrounding these figures, distinct patterns emerge—abstract yet intentional—representing the limitless imagination and creativity that define childhood. These playful elements contrast with the realism of the portraits, highlighting the tension between nostalgia and the way we reinterpret our past as we grow. This piece invites viewers to reflect on their own childhood memories and the ways in which those moments continue to shape their present selves.

  • Sacred Dilemma

    2b, 4b, 6b pencil on paper

    10.16 cm x 15.24 cm

    This pencil drawing captures a nun with a solemn, contemplative gaze, her expression illuminated by stars both in her eyes and scattered throughout the background. The piece reflects the tension between faith and personal identity, particularly in the modern Western world, where tradition and individuality often collide. The stars serve as a dual symbol—offering both guidance and uncertainty, much like faith itself. Through delicate shading and contrast, the artwork explores the quiet struggle of navigating belief, identity, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world.

  • American Dream

    21.59 cm x 27.94 cm

    Magazine paper, comic book paper, and glue on magazine paper

    "American Dream" is a stark reflection of the realities faced by children of color in the U.S., challenging the idealized vision its title suggests. Through a layered mix of images and text, the collage exposes the deep injustices of racial bias, systemic oppression, and stolen opportunities. Every element is intentional, weaving together personal and collective struggles that extend beyond borders. The chaotic composition mirrors the turbulence of growing up in a world where fairness isn’t guaranteed. This piece demands awareness and action, serving as both a critique and a call for justice in a society that too often fails its most vulnerable.

  • United

    Acrylic on canvas

    30.7 cm x 23 cm

    This piece celebrates unity in the face of adversity, depicting four women of color from different backgrounds standing together. The green haze surrounding them represents the uncertainty and prejudice they navigate, yet their collective presence remains strong. Behind them, bold graffiti lettering spelling “United” reinforces themes of solidarity and social justice, merging street art aesthetics with deeper cultural meaning. Through vibrant colors and expressive composition, the artwork highlights the power of diversity and shared resilience, reminding viewers that strength is found in standing together.

  • FIL-AM 2024

    Digital art media (Procreate)

    11 x 14 cm

    To touch on aspects of cultural and modern identity, this artwork blends both Filipino and American cultures through displays of the Tagalog and English languages encompassing the subject. With vibrant colors and graffiti art to symbolize contemporary styles, the incorporation of Baybayin turns the artwork into a representation of the past, present, and future.

  • When the Camera is ON!

    Digital art medium (Procreate)

    27.94 cm x 35.56 cm

    This digital artwork delves into the authenticity of identity by merging urban and graffiti aesthetics with interactive, digital techniques. Vibrant colors, layered textures, and motion-based elements create a dynamic space where personal and cultural expressions intersect and shift. By inviting the viewer to engage with the piece, it attempts to challenge static perceptions of identity, showcasing its fluid and multifaceted nature in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

  • Tailored Identity

    Digital art medium (Procreate)

    12.7 x 17.78 cm

    This work explores the conflict between individuality and outside influences by showing a hand-bound face representing external limiting authenticity. Instead of expressing authenticity, buttoned features and sewed lips imply a "tailored identity" has been created to meet expectations. Drawing on Surrealist inspiration, the internal struggle is depicted using a vivid, contrasting color palette to portray the intricacies created by individual life experiences and the weight of enforced standards.

  • Expression Grid

    Colored pencil and construction paper on paper

    46 cm X 31 cm

    This artwork delves into the fluidity of identity, illustrating how it shifts with emotional states and external influences. By using a variety of expressions and a bold color palette, the piece visually captures how our identity is not fixed but changes depending on mood, context, and how others perceive us. The contrast between vibrant hues and monochrome pencil tones emphasizes the complexity of identity and the emotional shifts that shape it. Inspired by Warhol's Marilyn Diptych, the grid composition presents each face in a distinct, yet repetitive manner, reflecting both the uniqueness of individual experiences and the common emotional threads that tie us together. This piece invites viewers to explore how identity is constantly in flux, influenced by both internal and external forces.