PORTFOLIO
Alianacriz De Sagun
CV 01 03
Architectural Image
Visual Arts Pieces of Me 05 10 08 09 Nostalgia Essence of Elements Wine Night
Architectural Works 17 18 Figure/ Ground Curvilinear Compositions 19 Composition of Spaces 13 11 12 GEM Beholder Italia Works Cited Image List
16 15
Bottom Up Company Scaffold Capitol
EDUCATION
EXHIBITIONS
Alianacriz Militante De Sagun
Contact phone: 403-978-0967
Email: alianacriz.desagun@ucalgary.ca | aliana28criz@icloud.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alitrat.o
University of Calgary, Calgary, AB BFA Visual Studies 2020-2024
St. Mary’s High School, Calgary, AB
Alberta High School Diploma Graduate 2020-2024
BIPOC Student Art Showcase Council of Alberta University Students
Mount Royal University December 2023 December 2023
ART 465 Studio Exhibit University of Calgary
Post-Min Auction University of Calgary
PULL Exhibition
Pentimento Collective AB 621 University of Calgary
PUSH Exhibition
Pentimento Collective
Contemporary Calgary December 2023 November 2023 May 2023
Post-Min Auction University of Calgary April 2023
Arts Showcase Exhibition Student’s Union, University of Calgary February 2023
PULL Exhibition
Pentimento Collective The Little Gallery, University of Calgary November 2023
Janet Mitchell Bursaries University of Calgary GRANTS AND AWARDS 2023
Sadie M. Nelson Bursary in Art University of Calgary 2023
Jason Lang Scholarship University of Calgary
Canada Student Grant for Full-Time University of Calgary
WORK EXPERIENCE
LANGUAGES
Alexander Rutherford Highschool Achievement Scholarship Calgary, AB November
Dinos Team Events University of Calgary
Bakery Wrapper
Costco Wholesale Club Calgary, AB
Sales Advisor Club Demonstration Services, Calgary, AB
Vice President of the Creative Team University of Calgary
Area Lead Volunteer
Feed the Hungry St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary, AB
Men’s Ukraine Hockey Charity Game
Father David Bauer Area, Calgary, AB
Art Lounge Mural
Jessica Semenoff University of Calgary
Extra Ordinary Eucharist St. Patrick’s Parish Church, Calgary, AB
Tagalog/Filipino
2019-Present
Architectural Image Beyond Design of
the Bahay Kubo
The significance of traditional dwellings is often overlooked as the society progresses An architecture style in the Philippines, the Bahay Kubo, or Nipa Hut, goes beyond its design; it serves as a connection to cultural roots placed among the country By placing importance on culture and traditions, the Bahay Kubo emerges as a sustainable design crafted from affordable materials, highlighting its practicality, economical, and cultural value
Often referred to as the traditional lowland Filipino hut made of bamboo, palm leaves, and grass, it exemplifies the connection between the invention of traditions and the shaping of national identity (Cabalfin, 2020) Considering how materials function with its flexibility and adaptability to weather conditions, sensitivity to the community and natural landscape became an important aspect to the Bahay Kubo
The hut is elevated to achieve ventilation, address concerns like flooding within rainy seasons, and air circulation The potential for heat accumulation is reduced since it is made with the use of light materials (Gavieta, 1991) Another importance of the Bahay Kubo is not only the ventilation from the elevation, but also the open layout with its wide windows and open sides for the warm climate A vernacular style is employed where the roof is made from woven nipa leaves at an angle which radiates the sun’s heat, allowing an upward and outward flow of warm air from the ceiling to the vents (Gavieta, 1991)
Strategies that include utilizing regional patterns, incorporating native materials, and celebrating the tropical climate within architectural design (Cabalfin, 2020) became significant in shaping the society To alleviate the struggles of Filipinos, Bahay Kubo serves as an affordable housing option in order to alleviate the struggles of Filipinos Considering the living situation in a tropical urban environment, families often do not have high income therefore the use of resources that are locally available is encouraged It is a place where relationships are built and also serves as a catalyst to build a stronger sense of community The term “bayanihan” refers to locally working together to transport houses from where the hut was built and moving it to a different location as a response to emergency situations (Cruz, 2018) The community transports the house by literally carrying it on their backs, further showcasing the resilience of the people
Embracing my Filipino heritage allowed me to select the Bahay Kubo, not only due to my connection with it, but also because the hut is an important symbol for the people It promotes sustainability with affordable materials like bamboo and nipa leaves and its elevated design addresses climate conditions Furthermore, it fosters a sense of community through “bayanihan”, which essentially stands for unity in the face of adversity The culturally rich and resilient Filipino structure is embodied through the rich handcrafted patterns created by skilled artisans, effectively showcasing the Filipino identity [470]
Figure 2: Exterior and Interior
Figure 1: Bahay Kubo
Transformative
Narratives: Redefining Cultural Roots Through Profound Experiences
The essence of art lies in its absence of a fixed formula for achieving perfection and its ability to blend with various areas of society Art, capable of stimulating imagination and underscoring design elements within spaces, holds the profound ability to reveal new discoveries. My research journey was challenged with the complexities of my Filipino and Canadian identity amid societal expectations Exploring artists like Marigold Santos, Jigger Cruz, and Zoe Charlton who confronted identity challenges after transitioning to more developed societies, revealed a common theme of self-discovery in their works
Upon closer analysis, one can observe the deliberate arrangement of each component Layers closer to the "Note to Self" hold greater significance than those farther away The nine layers represent distinct cultural aspects alongside the year of my immigration to Canada, 2009 The foundational layer or the base, measuring 21 inches, also symbolizes my current age
In my final project, I aimed to visually convey different viewpoints by adopting transparency and realizations related to my own identity. The approach emphasizes viewing oneself independently, unburdened by societal expectations, leading to a deep recognition of both cultures This journey reinforces the idea that embracing one's identity does not mean choosing between cultures; rather, it involves embracing the unique differences that shape each individual
The artwork aims to inspire self-awareness to viewers, emphasizing that regardless of one's origin or upbringing, the value of home and the associated struggles should be cherished Encouraging an authentic embrace of both cultures, adapted to personal preferences, is better than attempting to forcefully blend these cultures together This narrative extends to a larger scope, representing self-exploration shaped by diverse influences, whether they are economic or social, reflecting the challenges people face when assimilating into new communities.
In a societal context, the artwork hopes to shed light on the challenges faced by those navigating a new cultural landscape, offering a perspective that celebrates the unique aspects of each culture Ultimately, it serves as a testament to the significance of preserving one's cultural roots while embracing the diversity that shapes us as individuals
Pieces of Me
Acrylic on Acrylic Sheet Plexiglass, Spackling Paste, and Clay 21”x 8”x 10” 11” x 14”(x2) SeptemberDecember 2023
Nostalgia
Acrylic on Canvas
23 6”x 31 5”
2022 | 2 Weeks
‘bigyan mo ng halaga ang pinanggalingan mo ’
“give value to one’s own origin”
The most crucial lesson I've embraced as I matured is the importance of my family The purity and intense zeal in every color and object were merely depicted to illustrate the different phases of growing up under Canadian influence.
Essence of Elements
Oil Paint on Canvas
9”x 12” 2023 | 1 week
Inspired by natural elements like wind/air, fire, water, and earth, I pursued an abstract method, offering a fresh outlook on how they both complement and oppose one another using colors Despite the apparent clash of colours, it collaborates with itself to craft a strikingly beautiful yet haunting moment
Wine Night
Acrylic on Canvas
19 7”x 19 7”
2022 | 1 Week
Inspired by the Pop Art Era, specifically artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, I explored methods creating flat and crisp line works depicting specific areas within a still life layout The color scheme that I found similar in almost Pop Art pieces is the the usage of primary colors
Assigning specific colors for highlights, shadows, and contrasts assisted with the development of spaces that enhanced the areas of the still life
While crafting this artwork, I encountered methods that involved the difficulty of achieving uniformity and consistency in the size and spacing of the dots
GEM
Acrylic and Spackling Paste on Canvas
8”x 6” 2023 | 1 Day
By experimenting with various mediums, my aim was to capture the essence of the Canadian landscape, emphasizing texture and depth This painting pays homage to the land and resources found in Alberta, aiming to mirror the captivating beauty and distinctive geographical features of the "Three Sisters Mountain "
Beholder Plaster
6 5”x 5 5”x 11 5” 2020 | 2 Weeks
Beholder seizes beauty within every perspective To appreciate how the structure harmonizes with the composition is to witness grace within
In my initial year of studies, I took an interest in using plaster for sculptural art projects The challenges arose, notably the fragility of shaping it. I discovered that experimenting with smaller scales through a "trial-and-error” approach became a way to incorporate methods enabling a more delicate molding process for the final piece with a particular composition
Italia
Film Photography
8”x 10”
Olympus Mju II Xoom 80 August-September 2022
Grasping the interplay of light, shadows, symmetry, and angles within technical compositions and natural surroundings enabled me to capture diverse perspectives and details from afar.
Bottom Up
Ink on Black Bristol Paper
22.5”x 15.5”
2023 | 1.5 Weeks
I have always held a fascination for pen drawings and the crafting of unique details, which I've sought to explore through a brief series of experimental pen works I started by asking a few friends to make initial scribbles or draw random shapes, which I then built upon in my drawings I developed a range of textured-style drawings resembling buildings Beyond my creative approach, the artwork aims to present diverse viewpoints, whether viewed upside down or right side up, each offering a distinct perspective, even when inverted
Company
Ink on Black Bristol Paper
8.5”x 10.5”
2023 | 2 Days
Scaffold
Ink on Black Bristol Paper
8 5”x 10 5”
2023 | 1 Day
Capitol
Ink on Black Bristol Paper
8 5”x 10 5”
2023 | 1 Day
Figure/Ground
Foam Core Board and Bristol Paper
7 9”x 7 9”
2021 | 1 5 Weeks
Objective: Articulate the black and white figures where compositions are shown to enhance and unify the space
Findings: Paying attention to the negative and positive space helped better the composition with contrast between the white and black figures avoiding forms of L-shapes, T-Shapes, or symmetry
3D Figure/Ground
Foam Core Board and Sugar Cubes
5 9”x 5 9”x 0 6”
2021 | 1 5 Weeks
Objective: Recognize the negative and positive space through different dimension avoiding unwanted shapes (ex: L, T, Z) and symmetrical layouts
Findings: In terms of craftsmanship, the sugar cubes had different sides to create the flat and smooth surface on some of the figures Whereas the compositions, shifting and taking out some sugar cubes benefitted the space to create stable figures
Curvilinear Compositions
Plasticine on Foam Core Board 4”x 4” 2021 | 1.5 Weeks
Findings:
Objective: composition are to be arranged in a non-orthogonally yet a compelling formation
Understanding the interplay between subordinate, dominant, and subdominant elements is crucial Even minor gestures, like positioning a sphere at the cone's edge or exploring ways to enhance a chunky element, introduced tension within the composition
Composition of Spaces
Vellum Paper | Foam Core Board and Bristol Paper 11”x 7” | 7.9”x 7.9”x 2”
2021 | 2 weeks
Objective: emphasize space to have a clear entrance, dominant, intermediate, and transitional space through the usage of two to four linear, three to six planar, and one volumetric element(s)
Findings:
The littlest movement goes a long way within the project Considering how people have different perspectives, it involved multiple changes, such as shifting/moving elements, to emphasize each space functions
https://doi org/10 1080/10331867 2020 1 721054
and indigenous materials for passive cooling in the tropical urban climate of the Philippines Energy and Buildings,16 (3), (3) 925–932
https://doi org/10 1016/03787788(91)90087-J
