Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: Roots and Currents is a multi-artist project focused on the contemporary art of the island of Mindanao and the nearby Sulu Archipelago islands of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, located in the southernmost part of the Philippines. Although the Mindanao region has a rich and fascinating culture, its artists are often marginalised by instability and conflict, regional inaccessibility or perceptions of their indigenous status or Islamic culture.

This project brings together artwork from across the ‘tri-culture’ of Lumad (Indigenous), Bangsomoro (Islamic) and settler-root peoples. Textiles, woodcarving and ceremonial baskets are shown alongside paintings, videos and sculptures, raising awareness of local stories, cultural heritage and innovation, indigenous knowledge, social justice and self-determination concerns specific to the region.

Among the many highlights are new ochre paintings by Talaandig cultural leader Salima Saway Agra-an; carved Taguri (kites) by Rameer Tawasil featuring the okir arabesque motif of Muslim Mindanao; and innovative ikat weavings by Blaan artist Alfred Sarino. In the vast painting by collective Piguras Davao, a history of migration and settlement of the land unfolds, while artists such as Julie Lluch and Kiri Dalena intertwine art and activism to draw attention to ongoing confrontations between individuals and the state.

Together, these works – rarely seen in a contemporary-art context – celebrate the strength and diversity of artistic practices in the region of Mindanao, reflecting how the artists’ lived experiences shape their varied artworks and modes of expression.

Co-curated by Abraham Ambo Garcia Jr