JASMINE HART & RIALIN JOSÉ MALANDI #2 (2024)

JASMINE HART & RIALIN JOSÉ
MALANDI #2 (2024)
Epoxy putty, felt, metal, glue, acrylic paint, ink and paper on wood
12” x 9”
$200

ARTIST STATEMENT:
“MALANDI” is a Tagalog word that refers to someone being flirty or promiscuous. This piece features a Filipino mythological creature known as the manananggal. Its name directly translates to “one who self-segments,” which refers to its ability to detach its upper body from its lower half. This seductive depiction of a  manananggal offers a provocative lens of the well-known aswang*; it hyperbolically

 confronts the negative connotation behind the word “malandi.” Combining the horrific with the sexy, this piece offers sexual empowerment and pride, even through the terror and gore. A sequel to “MALANDI” by José, this piece uses mixed media to further bring the sensual creature to life.  *”aswang” is an umbrella term used for several shapeshifting creatures in Filipino mythology.

ARTIST BIO:
Jasmine Hart (she/they) is a queer Filipina multimedia artist based in Chicago, whose  work bridges diverse forms of expression and technical innovation. With a Bachelor’s in Animation from Columbia College Chicago, her artistic journey spans across motion graphics, photography, stop motion animation, and puppet and prop fabrication. Her practice is deeply rooted in a love for storytelling and an appreciation for the fantastical, which is reflected in projects ranging from multimedia installations to playful design elements.  Whether she’s painting, crafting goth decor, or designing cosplay pieces, Jasmine’s hands are always busy and her mind is always exploring new possibilities. Each piece she creates is a manifestation of her experiences and interests, aiming to capture the essence of both the playful and the profound. Through her work, she seeks to challenge

 conventional boundaries.

Rialin José (pronounced RY-lin ho-ZAY) (she/they) is a queer Filipina horror artist based in Chicago. Her work explores the unsettling and the surreal through a dark, imaginative lens. Since late 2021, she has been immersed in creating horror art that bridges traditional and digital media, using grotesque and exaggerated imagery to investigate darker themes of the human condition. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Rialin also uses her background in film to showcase her artistic process.  Known on social media as “aniniwan,” an Ilokano term meaning “shadow,” her work reflects a fascination with the odd and the absurd, giving form to the enigmatic and taboo aspects of existence.