The “Ka” Symbol I use quite often. So a little explanation here. The image includes a black Philippine sun with a white equilateral triangle inscribed. The triangle its self has a character making a “Kah” sound. This character is from precolonial alphabet systems referred to as Babayin, an Indic-based script. The elements also come from the fight for independence times including Spain and the United States. I came across this interpretation through the imagery of the anti martial law movement (1970’s -1980’s), specifically the KDP. When I first attended UCLA’s Asian American Studies program. I intended to do my thesis work on this and other organizations cultural work. However, in this series it also represents Kathleen Ardena, my mom. Hence, Heart of the Son.

When I first developed the concept of the series my intentions were to catch up to my chronological age and then do one per year after until I also reached the age of 59. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do after so many years off. Dusting off my old notebooks and sketch pads, I’ve figured out (I hope) where I left off and am happy to be starting back up at #20 (XX). The older concepts will merge with the new. The order may change a bit, but its back in production.

The main structural components of the series such as the Ka symbol, and the solitary boy on a carabao wandering the landscape persist in each one. Each of these are at least 18”x24”x2” in size. Some are larger and I of course make them in smaller versions. The boy on the carabao also comes from old books. I very much enjoy his expression. Although folks often think of catholicism from the Philippines, this boy is wearing a common Muslim hat. They were called the “unconquerable Muhamadeans” in some American colonial accounts. The legendary mythology of the colt .45 being developed to put them down in a single shot during the American Conquest of the Philippines.