Lei is a 25-year-old Filipino makeup artist, occasional wanderer with a love for traveling and driving, and the ultimate yes-woman—always open to trying new things at least once. She immigrated to Canada from the Philippines with her family at the age of 12. Lei currently works in outreach, and outside of her 9-to-5 job, she enjoys spending time with her friends, her dogs, and her famil
Archives of a Dropout
Interactive Sculpture
2025
Archives of a Dropout
Artwork Description
The blanket is inspired by the roaring and vibrant textile industry in the Philippines. My family finally got the chance to step back home in the motherland after 12 years when we first immigrated here. I was terrified to go back- having spent half of my life growing up here and adjusting to the culture and lifestyle here, I wasn’t sure how they would receive me back home. When I got there, it was nothing but warm hugs and welcoming kisses. Much like the feeling of wrapping a blanket around you. We ended up buying locally weaved blankets from our hometown at Ilocos and brought it back to Canada. I use it when I’m out for picnics with friends here. The journals are my real journals. So tread lightly. I have tried my best to go through both of them and black out sensitive information- but should you find any, let’s keep it between us. Both were written around the time of the pandemic. I thought about replicating a journal and writing new entries- but feelings and vulnerability cannot be replicated. Doing this felt more impactful.
Lei’s Why
What inspires my practice is a loaded question. I started off as an English major at UofC right out of high school. Literature and writing was my initial form of expression- until school burnt me out and I lost my passion for reading and writing. Then I pivoted to make up artistry as an art form and have been doing that ever since. After leaving school, my adoration for writing has been revived- that’s for sure. My inspiration primarily comes from my friends and loved ones. They are my anchors in this lifetime. They are the sun. I make art for expression- to release and bring something else to life. I make art to let people know I am alive- and that I’ve lived.
Voice from the Artist
“It’s inspiring how the team decided to exhibit artworks to talk about these topics instead of having people go into city hall/etc. and come up to a podium to talk about their experience. Using art as a tool makes it less intimidating, slightly (possibly) therapeutic, and creates a visual element to experiences that our youths have dealt with.”
