WELCOME TO Kreatives
A Pop-Up Shop & Gallery at Metreon | 165 4th Street, San Francisco
Join artists from Balay Kreative in an exhibition for you to explore and be inspired by. With work ranging from paintings to mixed media and fashion to puppetry, there's sure to be something to pique every Kreatives interest. Brought to you with the support of OEWD and Kultivate Labs.
Opening on June 10th 12PM-5PM at the Be Free Festival
Remaining shop hours:
WED-FRI
JUN 14 -16
2PM-6:30PM
SAT
JUNE 17
12PM-5PM
WED - FRI
JUN 21-23
2PM-6:30PM
SAT
JUNE 24
12PM-5PM
Meet the Artists
Biography
ChiChai (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and community-gatherer born and raised in Occupied Ohlone Land, also known as the Bay Area. Whether teaching or creating, ChiChai's work is intersectional in its roots to nature, feminism, and the dismantling of colonial mindsets. You can catch her teaching art and how to use art as a tool for decolonizing to youth and adults. ChiChai received her MA in International Studies from University of San Francisco (2016), in which she was awarded Most Original Thesis for her master's thesis "Challenging Filipino Colonial Mentality through Philippine Art." She has taught youth for various nonprofits throughout the Bay Area, including Destiny Arts, Galing Bata, and Youth Art Exchange.
Artist Statement:
ChiChai frees her Pinay roots from its history of colonial oppressions through her artwork. Being raised by nourishing yet firm and powerful women, her illustrations depict elements of nature as women spirits. Through fashion design, painting and mixed media, ChiChai aims to honor indigenous craftsmanship, the matriarch that has raised her, and Mama Earth.
Gallery piece description coming soon!
"Annabelle Isadora, a.k.a. A.I."
mixed media, dimensions variable
2023
This interactive kinetic sculpture/puppet is open for ALL gallery visitors to activate. Guests are invited to gently pull the ropes to make "Annabelle Isadora" or "A.I." move.
Sponsored by a grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC), this piece will also be included in Ramon Abad's solo art installation show this October to November at the San Francisco Arts Education Project Gallery, inside the Minnesota Street Project in Dogpatch, SF.
Sige, Pumasko Ka
Mixed Media
2021
Sige, Pumasok Ka translates to “Alright, Come In.” This piece is a sacred heart wood-cut out, painted with acrylic, spray paint, canvas, found branches, and thread. Branches found on the land were cut to surround the sacred heart and hand-sewn into the wood. Spray paint was used on canvas with repeated words of “I love u. Thank u.” and in Tagalog, “Mahal kita. Salamat.”
This banner serves as a reminder that as we look deep inside of our hearts, that is when we will find true freedom.
Featured in 2021 BANERA!: Itaguyod ang Kalayaan Mo art exhibition for Philippines Independence Day, led by Manila-based non-governmental organization, DAKILA, and community organization, Active Vista.
Featured in 2023 Devotion to Love group exhibit led by Divine Unity in San Francisco, CA.
Wasak
Mixed Media
2023
Reminiscing on the broken glass of a cathartic release. Gaslit moments led into confusion and turned into rage.
1,0000 women roar in support, "thank you for freeing us!"
Do you feel better now?
Yes.
Gallery piece description coming soon!
Gallery piece description coming soon!
Artistic Statment
My work explores pre- to post- Filipino culture in the diaspora. Using native scripts and tattoo patterns as a foundation, I incorporate and deconstruct calligraphy and graffiti methods. Didactic in nature, my works both entertain and instruct while exploring themes of identity, poverty, death, love, and duality. By blending the ancient script with contemporary aesthetics, my work bridges time and space, as well as challenges the necessity of economic value to prove our cultural heritage worthy of preserving.
Keep an eye out for more artist updates!
RSVP NOW
ABOUT BE FREE FESTIVAL
This is an annual event celebrating Filipino Creativity & Liberation. SOMA Pilipinas' lively atmosphere makes this a great opportunity for the Filipino community and their friends to celebrate their culture and heritage. You'll get the chance to explore the SOMA Pilipinas district and experience the rich and diverse culture of the Filipinos during this crawl.
