LoTO
2024 | Francis Colburn Gallery | USA
Loto, which means ‘lottery’ in Tagalog, features banana leaves and lottery scratcher cards embedded within the paper fibers of the handmade paper. The lottery scratcher speaks to an ongoing theme of luck in the artist’s family’s story of surviving in the U.S. The shiny piece of paper proposes that with good fortune maybe we could see a better tomorrow.
Materials: Image transfer on artist’s handmade paper (lottery scratchers, recycled paper, banana leaves, abaca)
Dimensions: 22 in x 28 in
Date: 2024
Exhibited in: Francis Colburn Gallery
“Gupit’s handmade paper pieces and multidisciplinary works delve into her cultural and ethnic identity as a Filipina American. By incorporating photographs of her grandparents, she visually interweaves her family’s history with a broader history of the Philippines that remains largely overlooked and untold. Her relief and sculptural works, crafted from paper clay casts, showcase portable and familiar everyday objects—such as passports, coins, books, and documents—offering a tangible exploration of personal and collective narratives. These objects serve as conduits for understanding the dual quest for belonging and the desire to preserve a sense of home. As a whole, Gupit’s art practice highlights the simultaneous personal and universal yearning for connection, providing a visual lens through which viewers can contemplate the intricate interplay between individual identity and the broader human experience.” — Sarah Richter