Filipino Artist Kulay Labitigan, British Council Tell stories of Filipinos Overseas in Art Exhibition

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The British Council continues to support the growth of the Filipino art scene through Carl Irving “Kulay” Labitigan featuring his work called the “7,642nd Island” in Nena Saguil’s “LAKBAY: Voyages into the Absolute.” LAKBAY is a group exhibition curated by Marika Constantino featuring works of nine (9) Filipino artists in the diaspora held on February 8-12, 2025.

7,642nd Island captured how overseas Filipinos stay connected to home through video calls, online messages, and digital interactions, creating what he calls a “digital archipelago” that links Filipinos across borders. Labitigan’s work invited audiences to reflect on what ‘home’ means in today’s digital world. It is a poignant reminder that no matter how far we travel, our culture, memories, and connections keep us rooted. He also led an artist talk during the event, offering audiences a closer look at his creative process and the personal inspirations behind his work.

“For many Filipinos living abroad, home is more than a physical place — it’s a feeling we hold on to through technology and memory. I wanted to bring that idea to life through my art,” Labitigan said.

Crafted using sustainable materials, including miniature balikbayan boxes filled with vibrant shredded paper, Labitigan’s work paid homage to Saguil’s signature abstract style, representing the fragmented yet enduring ties that bind Filipinos worldwide. More than an art exhibition, Saguil’s LAKBAY was a celebration of Filipino identity, migration, and creativity which highlighted the shared experiences of movement, adaptation, and belonging.

The exhibition was made possible through a collaboration between Art House, the Nena Saguil Foundation, and the Department of Tourism Philippines, with the British Council supporting Labitigan’s participation. This partnership underscores the British Council’s mission to create more opportunities for Filipino artists to expand their reach and impact globally.

Lotus Postrado, Country Director of the British Council Philippines, emphasized the British Council’s commitment to help boost the local art scene.

“Supporting artists like Kulay reflects our commitment to strengthening creative connections between the Philippines and the world. Through opportunities like this, we aim to empower Filipino artists to engage with global audiences, foster cultural exchange, and share stories that resonate far beyond our borders,” Postrado said.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.