MALETA

2024 | Francis Colburn Gallery | USA

Maleta is made up of personal objects cast in paper clay. Spilling onto the floor from the inside of a luggage bag, the weathered mementos, including a passport, books, and a lucky cat charm, suggest they have traveled from a distant past. With their specificity in form, each object appears to hold special meaning to its keeper.

“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

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