It's Okay not to be Okay by Maria Christina C. Anire
About the artist: Maria Christina Castillo Anire, a Filipino Migrant Worker in Hong Kong for almost 10 years and a member of Guhit Kulay, a migrant artist collective in Hong Kong. A self-taught visual artist and employs mixed media in her artistic practice including oil & soft pastel, acrylic & oil paint, watercolour, marker, pencil & charcoal. She has completed EmpowerU programme at the University of Hong Kong (2018-2019) and the Lensational Photography Beginner's/Intermediate Programme. She has participated in Lensational Cinematography Short Film workshop (2022-2023). She views photography as a way to capture and preserve memories and believes art has meditative--curing and connecting souls & relieving tensions.
Her previous exhibitions include: Colours of Humanity - Art Prize in 2023, Goethe Institute of Hong Kong in Dec 2023-Jan 2024, Artwork auction at Christie's Babaylan the Healer Shaman at Justice Center in Dec 2023, MULAT Likhang Sining Alay sa KAtutubong Pilipino - at Philippine Consulate General (PCG) Hong Kong in Oct-Nov 2023, Message from Migrant Workers: a film animation project and collaboration with Justyna Kabala from London University of Arts in 2021-2023, Fanatic Heart Exhibition at Para Site Hong Kong in Dec 2022-Feb 2023, Panagbenga Festival Ayona Exhibition Gallery Tam-awan Village, Baguio City, Philippines in Feb-Mar 2022, Everyday Gender Photo Exhibit at Gender & Art Space, Yau Ma Tei in 2020, Urban Sketches/Photography Art Postcard at Athletic Juice Espresso, One Hennessy in 2019, Obra: Sining at Galing ng Migranteng Pilipino, PCG in 2019, Photography exhibit at Lumenvisum Gallery, Shek Kip Mei in 2019, Kultura: NIDO Asia, Hollywood Road in 2018.
Her previous exhibitions include: Colours of Humanity - Art Prize in 2023, Goethe Institute of Hong Kong in Dec 2023-Jan 2024, Artwork auction at Christie's Babaylan the Healer Shaman at Justice Center in Dec 2023, MULAT Likhang Sining Alay sa KAtutubong Pilipino - at Philippine Consulate General (PCG) Hong Kong in Oct-Nov 2023, Message from Migrant Workers: a film animation project and collaboration with Justyna Kabala from London University of Arts in 2021-2023, Fanatic Heart Exhibition at Para Site Hong Kong in Dec 2022-Feb 2023, Panagbenga Festival Ayona Exhibition Gallery Tam-awan Village, Baguio City, Philippines in Feb-Mar 2022, Everyday Gender Photo Exhibit at Gender & Art Space, Yau Ma Tei in 2020, Urban Sketches/Photography Art Postcard at Athletic Juice Espresso, One Hennessy in 2019, Obra: Sining at Galing ng Migranteng Pilipino, PCG in 2019, Photography exhibit at Lumenvisum Gallery, Shek Kip Mei in 2019, Kultura: NIDO Asia, Hollywood Road in 2018.
About the Painting: Everyone experiences, anxiety, pain, anger, annoyance and frustration. It's normal; it’s a human thing. Bursting with thoughts, filling up with too much to take on your plate, thinking that there is a thread connecting your madness and that at any moment it will break or snap. Taking care of yourself is self-love. It doesn't mean that if you don't have other people by your side, you won't get better. Acceptance is the key, allow yourself to grieve and feel it. You will find the strength to carry on. Motivate yourself--this is the first step. Focus on things that can inspire you--make art, exercise, listen to music, meditation, positive vibes and be productive. Don't lose hope and have faith. Time heals wounds; be patient.
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