Abstract
The Hilabana movement, founded by Venazir Martinez, is a transformative public art initiative that employs the symbolic “red thread” as a narrative device, connecting Filipino stories and identities across diverse cultural and geographic landscapes. Originating in Baguio City, Philippines, in 2018, Hila-bana—meaning “woven path”—seamlessly integrates the red thread in each mural to represent an unbroken lineage, a symbol that binds individuals, families, and communities worldwide, creating an inclusive narrative for the Filipino identity. Through large-scale murals, Hilabana encapsulates themes of migration, resilience, and cultural pride, providing a visual representation of the ongoing Filipino diaspora and the cultural legacies they carry. The transient nature of the red thread has allowed Hilabana to evolve in unexpected directions. Venazir’s collaboration with the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in San Francisco produced Ani - Harvested Hopes, a mural in the city’s South of Market District that chronicles the migration stories of Filipino workers and the aspirations they brought to their new homeland. This piece highlights not only the struggles but also the dreams and hopes that sustain migrant communities, illustrating how public art can serve as a vehicle for storytelling that honors both individual experiences and collective histories.Hila-bana, through Martinez’s vision, demonstrates how public art can transcend its physical boundaries, creating both a literal and figurative canvas for conversations on identity, migration, and resilience. The red thread of Hilabana binds generations, cultures, and histories, ensuring that each mural is more than an artwork; it is a living monument to the enduring connections that shape our shared humanity.
Presenters
Venazir MartinezMuralist and Visual Anthropreneur, Acuglobal Endeavors LLC, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Public Art, Cultural Identity, Migration, Community-building, Social Practice, Diaspora, AAPI
