Part of the “HIYA” (Hee-Yah) collection of ceramics that debuted at Auntie’s Supply in Toronto. The pieces in HIYA (meaning shy, shame) act as little diary entries from myself, growing up Filipina in Toronto. Patterns are inspired by textiles and flora from the motherland and feature words and sayings that were said to me growing up which have impacted me the most in an act of healing and reclaiming now that I’m in adulthood.

Paghilom has multiple meanings in different dialects of the Philippines. In Tagalog, paghílom means healing (close up, close up cracks). But in cebuano/bisaya, it paghilóm means “shut up”. I like this duality! My father’s side speaks Tagalog but my mother’s side is bisayan, and I think in relation to their personalities it' sort of matches how I’ve watched their dynamic work. The duality also reflects my internal battles of dealing with the intergenerational trauma of working though my culture and artistic practice. It’s a constant battle saying, “shut up, I’m healing” to toxic thoughts and the voice of the sabateur, whispering imposter syndrome sentiments. The tagalog meaning also hints at the otherwise therapeutic nature of moving earth to create ceramics, where cracks can appear, and I try to salvage it while whispering “shutupitsfineshutupitsfineshutupitsfine”.

SPECS:

• speckled stoneware clay marbled with masonite stained clay.

• glazed on the inside and outside, technically food safe while not recommended for that use. I wont yuck your yum!

• Adorned with little flower doodles and “paghilom” written in underglaze pencil.

• Approximately 5” high and 5.75” wide (from end of handle to widest part of parallel edge)