Rey Francis Dominic B. Tatad

Chosen Land

University of Regina
Pencil crayon on paper
56 x 76.2 cm
22 x 30 in

My practice intertwines the objectivity of history and the subjectivity of experiences to critically examine ideas of immigration, multiculturalism, culture shock and identity. My transition from a Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines, into a Canadian citizen informs my work. In Chosen Land I depict a surreal landscape of the Philippines with religious overtones and referencing socio-political narratives localized in the country. Centuries of colonialism resulted in the eventual hegemony of Western influence in contemporary Filipino society. This is manifested in the dominance of Christianity and for this piece I drew inspiration from the nightmarish and fantastical altarpieces of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel.