Melissa (Ruivivar) Yeung-Yap is a Filipina visual artist who actively uses art not just as a medium for self-expression but as a means for empowerment and for bringing her advocacies to the fore. She is passionate about collaborating with artisanal and indigenous communities in the Philippines. Using her artistry, she focuses on traditional weaving to make it sustainable here and now. At the same time, she is ensuring that the Filipino’s future is grounded in our rich, authentic indigenous cultures. She has used art therapy for children who experienced trauma from abandonment, calamities, and war.
Some of the Philippine indigenous crafts she integrates with her art are handwoven fabrics like t’nalak, an essential product of the T’boli. Hinabol is woven by the Higaonon of Bukidnon, Tingkep by the Pala’wan weavers, and Inabel by the Tinguian of Abra. She meaningfully integrates these elements and patterns into her paintings when their context is applicable. In this way, she makes people aware of these cultural products’ significance and makes Filipinos proud of their collective heritage.
During the pandemic, to help the community artisans, she bought many of their products (weaves, brass bells, baskets, carvings) and infused them into her artworks. They have since raised funds to help the community afford their basic needs and educational expenses. And build a new weaving facility, tools, and other materials.
She has exhibited for ten years in various countries/cities like the Philippines, Sydney, London, Wales, Singapore, Fukuoka, and Vienna. She has received numerous accolades, such as the CNN Leading Women (2020), Ramon V del Rosario Siklab Award (2019), and The Outstanding Young Person Award (2013), which allowed her to be presented to the Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masaka of Japan in 2013. For her, many advocacies involve empowering various marginalized sectors of society, such as poverty-stricken communities, war-torn communities, disaster areas, and contested indigenous peoples’ lands.
Exhibits
