Tuloy, Tawid

Zeus Bascon, KoloWn, Greys Lockheart, Julius Poncelet Manapul, Marigold Santos and Karen Zalamea

Curated by Kuh Del Rosario and Manar Abo Touk

June 24, 2021 - September 20, 2021

Through the unique perspective and geographical position of each artist, Tuloy, Tawid offers an exhibition with both breadth and specificity, at once, this exhibition examines the Filipino experience, entangled and layered by the diaspora. Tuloy, Tawid directly translates to ‘Continue, Cross.’ When  visiting Filipino households, it is not unusual to be greeted with an impassioned tuloy! upon  arrival. “Tuloy po kayo” or “please come in,” denotes hospitality, coaxing those to come inside. To cross the threshold is to accept the kindness that has been extended. Tuloy denotes the  beginning of a reciprocal exchange of shared intimacy. Featuring works by artists - Zeus Bascon (Laguna, Philippines), Artist Collective Kolown (Philippines), Greys Lockheart (Cebu City, Philippines), Julius Poncelet Manapul (Toronto, Canada), Marigold Santos (Calgary, Canada) and Karen Zalamea (Vancouver, Canada) - this exhibition examines the Filipino experience, entangled and layered by the diaspora.

Tuloy, Tawid directly translates to ‘Continue, Cross.’ 

When visiting Filipino households, it is not unusual to be greeted with an 

impassioned tuloy upon arrival. “Tuloy po kayo” or “please come in,” denotes hospitality, coaxing those to come inside. To cross the threshold is to accept the kindness that has been extended. Tuloy denotes the beginning of a reciprocal exchange of shared intimacy. 

Tawid is to cross, 

over a bridge or terrain. 

from one point to another, 

covering ground, 

reaching a destination, 

overcoming distance. 

The title situates the exhibition as inclusive, making way for discourse that 

privileges the telling of stories not often told, or not told enough. Tuloy, Tawid welcomes one to continue the crossing - to take action toward a deeper 

understanding. 

But in the nuanced positionality of the Philippine-based artists living in Cebu and Laguna, as well as the hyphenated Canadians of Filipino ancestry, questions surface. 

Where do we find commonality? 

Where do our intersections occur, and at what point do we diverge? 

Constantly negotiating identities within the spaces we inhabit, within implicated and fraught lands, how can we begin to call a place a home? 

Text written By Kuh Del Rosario