Sigwada Knicolai
Sigwada Knicolai is a graduate from the University of the Philippines- Cebu, Bachelor of Fine Arts. She is a pop-surrealist artist who personifies moods and emotions stemming from her bipolar disorder through expressive characters. Her primary aim is to convey a unique perspective on the world, inspiring hope for a better life despite difficulties through whimsical artwork. While occasionally delving into social commentary and other themes, Knicolai’s main focus remains shedding light on mental health issues. Her characters serve as an extension of herself, reflecting personal experiences and interpretations. While acrylic paints serve as the primary medium, Knicolai often explores various other media to further express her artistic vision.
Acrylic on Canvas
24in diameter
2025
Solo Exhibitions:
- NEWCOMER
Mango Arts Festival, Art Manille, BKK, Thailand (May 2025) - Wonder Wander (curated by Jt Gonzales)
May 19 – June , 2024 | Gallery Sort Of, QC - Juliet’s Eve / Art of Imperfection
May 7 – JUNE 2009 Blackberry Bar, Tanjong Pagar, Singapore - Unconventional Angel
January 11- February 1, 2003 Ladida Bar, Malate - Sa Sinapupunan Ng Dagat
March 18- April 1, 2002, TESDA- Women Center, Taguig - Sigwada Knicolai’s Wings
March 9-14, 2001, Laguna Garden Café, Ayala Business Center, Cebu
Group Exhibitions:
( *curated by Sigwada Knicolai )
- Respawn
Secret Fresh Gallery (July 13 – July 25, 2025) - Wishful Thinking
MoCAF under 360 creatives (July 11-13, 2025) - Fate, Luck, and Destiny *
3 Man Show, Altro Mondo (July 5- Sept 8, 2025)
- Take A Seat : Collaboration Show with Diwa.Dizeñyo *
Space Encounters (June 7 – 28, 2025)
- Portfolio Boxes
Art Fair Ph, Kaida Contemporary (February 2025) - Philippine Mental Health Association 75th Anniversary *
Seda Vertis North/PMHA QC (January 15 – February 14, 2025) - Shared Humanity II – Cryptoart Ph
Coins Ph HQ, BGC (November 20, 2024) - To The Moon And Back
Fifty One Collective, Kapitolyo, Pasig (November 16-30, 2024) - The 8×8 Show
The Manilabang Show, 22nd&5th Gallery, Makati (November 14-17, 2024) - Empty Spaces
Kuta Art Space, Angono (September 21-October 6, 2024) - Kilometer 0
Pugad ni Art, La Trinidad, Benguet (August 3-31, 2024) - Batang 90’s
Altro Mondo Creative Space, Makati (July 13-August 3, 2024) - Homegrown
MoCAF under 22nd & 5th gallery, BGC (July 5-7, 2024) - Hayop Ka!
Cartellino, online release (May-June, 2024) - Stories Beyond The Skin
The Greyspace, San Juan (April 6-27, 2024) - Art in the Park 2024
Kaida Contemporary, Cevio Art Haus, Qube – Makati (March 17, 2024) - Everyday Women
Art Manille, Twin Lakes Hotel (March 1-31, 2024) - Bloom 20th Anniversary, “Babayi Bayani”
Pinto Museum (March 3-24, 2024) - Art Fair Ph 2024
Kaida Contemporary (February 16 – 18, 2024) - Street Dreams, The Art of Popsurrealism by Art+ Magazine
Art Lounge Manila, The Podium, Mandaluyong (February 1-8, 2024) - XAF
Greyspace / Arte Pintura / M Gallery (January 26-29, 2024) - Artscape
Hypecartel X Iconsiam – 7th floor Iconsiam BKK, Thailand (January 20 – February 7, 2024) - CHROMATICized
Qube Gallery – Cebu (January 13 – 27, 2024) - Unveiling
22nd 5th Gallery – Quezon City (January 6, 2024) - YearEnd “Under The Broad Umbrella”
Kaida Contemporary – Quezon City (Dec 3, 2023 – Jan 3, 2024) - Unlikely Heroes
Arte Pintura Gallery – Escoda St. Manila (Nov 12 – 26, 2023) - Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Exhibit
Venice Grand Canal Mall, Mckinley Hills Dr., Taguig (Oct. 3 – 31, 2023) - MoCAF X Globe Gfair
BGC Highstreet Amphitheater (Sept 23 – 24, 2023) - Yes To Kalikasan, No to Dams
Nineveh Art Space, Laguna (Sept 23 – Oct 23, 2023) - Art Spot Tagaytay (featured artist)
Miara Events Place Tagaytay (Sept 22-24, 2023) - Art+ Discoveries
MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Art Fair) Fairmont Hotel, Makati (July 28-30, 2023) - Enchanting Reverie
Ides Contemporary – Festival Mall, Alabang (July 22 – Aug 5, 2023) - Independent Variable
Nuzen Gallery – Tagaytay (June 10- July 6, 2023) - Eigenwelt
Anima Art Space – Commonwealth Ave,QC (May 20- June 17, 2023) - Into The Woods
Super Duper Gallery, QC (May 14- May 27, 2023) - Foolers De Mayo
Gallery Sort Of – Fairview, QC (May 13- June 3, 2023) - Laloba Art Collective
White Walls Gallery – La Fuerza Makati (April 14-28,
2023) - Ding, Ang Bato!
Circles Visuals – Alimall,QC (March 25-April 5, 2023) - Art in the Park
Vinyl on Vinyl – Makati (March 19, 2023) - Nostalgia
Space Encounters – Ortigas,Pasig (March 11- April 1, 2023) - Bloom 2023 “Babayi, Bayani”
Stall 9 Cubao Expo, QC (March 1-31, 2023) - Dynamic Blast
Art Elaan – Ayala by the bay, Parañaque (February 27- March 17, 2023) - Xavier Art Fest 2023
Forma Art Space booth at Xavier School San Juan (January 27-29, 2023)
- The ManilaBang Show 2022
Paseo Gallery booth at Festival Mall Alabang (December 8-11, 2022)
- The Velaris Residences INVESTOR’S NIGHT
Vintana Ph pop-up art
exhibition (November 26-27, 2022) - On The Surface
CXE Art and Collectibles – Maginhawa QC (July 16-27, 2022) - S.W.A.B X CXE
CXE Art and Collectibles – Maginhawa QC (Dec 30-Jan 12, 2021) - Art For Everyone
SM Megamall Mandaluyong (August 2019) - Group Art Exhibit
Bantayan Island Cebu (July 2019) - Despite My Being 3 _______, I am a Living Story
Sining Kamalig – Ali Mall, Cubao (July 22-August 14, 2018) - Exodus
JoHo Foundation The Hague Netherlands (June 16, 2018) - Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 with Boxless Society
Ateneo De Manila University (April 11-13,2018) - Doodle Wall
Georgetown Coffee Club Malate (December 18, 2012) - Watching The Wheels: A Birthday Tribute To John Lennon
Ayala Museum Lobby (October 9, 2010) - Jewels
Purple Art Gallery SM Mega Mall Mandaluyong (November 27 –
December 11, 2009) - Occurrences
Art19b Cubao Expo Quezon City (May 15-29, 2009) - GENRE Spring Of Aphrodite
RJ Bar Jupiter St. Bel-air Makati (March 21 – April
21, 2009) - Implicit Psalm
Rotech Gallery 3/L Robinson’s Galleria Ortigas, Pasig (March
6-20, 2009) - Subliminal Cosmos
BlueLine Gallery 4/f Rustans, Ayala Avenue, Makati
(February 7 -27, 2009) - OBRA
Big and Small Art Co., Robinson’s Place Ermita, (October 29 – November
12, 2008) - MAP (For the Benefit of Tara Santelices)
Route 196 Katipunan Avenue, Q.C.,
(August 16, 2008) - ImaGo
Whitebox Studio Cubao Expo, (July 10 – 24, 2007) - Philippine Art Educators Association: “Circles” A mobile Group Exhibit
Vargas Museum | February 4-10, 2007
SM Mall of Asia | February 10 – 16
SM Mega Mall | Feb. 17 – 23
SM City North | February 24 – March 2
SM Southmall | March 3 – 9, 2007 - One Nine One.2
Cebu Plaza Hotel – Cebu (March 3-17, 2001) - 25th Joya Awards
SM Art Center – Cebu (February– March 2001) - 33rd Shell National Students Art Competition 2000
Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila (October 30 – November 28, 2000) - 23rd Joya Awards
Capitol Exhibit Hall – Cebu (February-March 1999) - Mindworks – INSTALLATION EXHIBIT
University of the Philippines (Cebu) Grounds – Cebu (October 1997) - 19th Joya Awards
Ayala Activity Center – Cebu (February 1995) - Untitled
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (May 1994) - Untitled
Department of Labor and Employment Bldg. – Intramuros, Manila (May
1994)
Notable Commissioned Works:
- Artwork for Congressman Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales’ Christmas card for VIPs
December 2020 - Art design for Mizpah X Sigwada Art Series Premium Yoga Mats
Date released: October 2020 - Art Direction, design, and execution of 7-eleven / City Blends’ mural
Columbia Tower Ortigas Avenue, January 2020 - Concept and Art direction for Live Art Collaboration
Bonifacio Global City’s Passionfest 2012 - 2 live murals (done with Froilan Calayag, Clint Catalan, Kaloy Pangilinan, Jeffrey Guaves, and Mark Casas)
November 23, 2014
Notable Mural Projects
- Venice Grand Canal
(Curated by Art Manille) - Ateneo De Cebu
(Art Direction by Evar Raphael)
September 2019 - Dibuho Kisame Crew: Ceiling Mural
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Bantayan Island Cebu
(Art Direction by Aris Pastor)
Date finished: June 2019
Awards
- Finalist -33rd Shell National Students Art Competition 2000
- 3rd Place – Mindworks ’97 UP-Cebu (Installation Art Category)
- 3rd Place – On-the-Spot Drawing Contest (ALPINE Milk, PTV 4) ’86
Dada Shows
MINDWORKS 15 @ The University Of the Philippines – Cebu (December 2000)
MINDWORKS 13 @ DTM Disco Reclamation Area – Cebu (October 1998)
MINDWORKS 12 @ The University of the Philippines – Cebu (October 1997)
MINDWORKS 11 @ The University of the Philippines – Cebu (December 1996)
GREENMINDS @ Bai Disco Cebu Plaza Hotel –Cebu (December 1996)
