ARTIST: SHERRY SAN MIGUEL
About the art
“The Dream,” oil and acrylic, is a self-portrait of the artist and her son kicking down the symbolic door of the typical American Dream: a nuclear family, white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a dog. Rebelliously claiming space for newfound independence and freedom after surviving an abusive relationship. The colors used are a nod to the flag of the Philippines with the silver foil representing the vivid jeepneys that fueled inspiration when the artist and her son visited their homeland for the first time together. As a first-generation Asian American, this piece represents my roots of traditional Filipino heritage juxtaposed against the modern American way.
This painting represents the beautiful struggle, the strong bond between mother and son as they forge their own path, and the triumph of the human spirit as they cross the threshold into a new beginning. It represents the courage to pursue a new American Dream where an Asian American woman, daughter of immigrants, single mother of an interracial child can blaze her own trail by staying true and following her dreams. None of which could be possible without the village or Bayanihan that stood by her side and helped raise the precious man’s child. Single mothers, I see you. Beautiful brown boys, I see you. Now this baby is a young man. The isolated time together during the pandemic has given us a higher sense of gratitude and more quality time now that he is applying for college as we begin to wrap our minds around him leaving the next year.
“No Woman is an Island” (Work in Progress) Oil painting, 2019-2020.
Working in isolation and solitude made me appreciate and regain connection with what is really important - my true connections and community. Entering my 40’s, I have been called to slow down and reflect. Being in a hyper-independent state for a majority of my life I realize, “No Woman is an Island”.
About the Artist
Sherry San Miguel is an award-winning graphic designer of 20 years with a passion for social change and all things print. As a teen she drew characters in her sketchbook while hanging out at her dad's print shop after school. She pursued studio art and fashion design before following in her father's footsteps and embarking on a career in graphic design. In 2017, seeing a need for creative space to be held for Asian American and BIPOC artists in her community, she co-founded SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering.
In 2015, Sherry co-founded Soul & Ink: A Live Screen Printing Experience with her husband, Frank Meneses, where they create in studio then bring designs to life via community engagement and art education through live screen printing at events. Together, they have been featured artists in exhibits at The National Portrait Gallery, The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Freer | Sackler Gallery.
As of 2019, she was called to get back in touch with her original passion for non-client related fine arts and began to step out of her digital design comfort zone. "The Dream" and "No Woman is an Island" are her first two explorations into oil painting that she has completed.
