CESAR CONDE Embracing Blackness (2024)

CESAR CONDE
Embracing Blackness (2024)
Oil on canvas
72” x 48”
$7,000

ARTIST STATEMENT:

The body of work celebrates the past, present and future of Filipino identity in Diaspora. “Embracing Blackness” is a mirror of the transformation of Fil-Am and Filipino ethos from white colonial mentality to self-determination and identification. Colorism is rampant in our culture and as we evolve as a society and people, the acceptance of the other is the norm. I remember the tribe of the Aetas, one of our first peoples of African descent whom I met when I was a child in Manila. They were considered second class citizens because of their color. This painting is dedicated to our tribes who have suffered such injustices due to colonization. The red cape symbolizes the same color Red of our blood.

ARTIST BIO:

A product of Filipino diaspora and Martial Law, Conde landed in Chicago’s west side over 48 years ago, moved to Seattle where he became part of Seattle’s first school busing desegregation program. Conde is a contemporary painter who uses old world technique. He studied at Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. Technique Mixte, with Master Patrick Betaudier in France and Ed Hinkley in Chicago. Conde believes that Art is a powerful tool for Resistance, unifying communities, and providing a safe space for dialogue. A “Queer” artist of color, Conde’s art is informed by social political issues which affect the marginalized.