Pacita Abad
Biography
Pacita Abad (1946-2004) was a pioneering Filipino-American artist born in Batanes, Philippines. Born into a politically active family (her father was a congressman), she initially seemed destined for a political career. However, political upheaval during the Marcos era led her to the United States, where she pursued her artistic passion. She was a prolific artist who created over 5,000 artworks throughout her career. She became the first woman to receive the Philippines' Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award in 1984, breaking gender barriers. Her more than 30-year painting career was characterized by innovation, particularly in her development of trapunto painting (a technique of quilting and stuffing her canvases). She traveled to more than 50 countries, and these experiences deeply influenced her vibrant, multicultural artistic style.
Notable information
• Created over 5,000 artworks during her lifetime
• Painted a 55-meter long bridge in Singapore, covering it with 2,350 multi-colored circles
• Developed the trapunto painting technique, combining painting with quilting and stuffed canvas
• First woman to receive the Philippines' Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award in 1984
• Her work addressed global issues including immigration, refugees, and third-world workers
• Exhibited in over 200 museums and galleries worldwide
• Received numerous awards and recognition internationally
• Her work is currently experiencing a renaissance, with major retrospectives at prestigious institutions like MoMA PS1
