As a kid growing up in the Philippines, nothing felt more significant than owning a pair of denim jeans, particularly a brand like Levi’s. It wasn’t just about having a fashionable item, but rather, it was a symbol of one’s social status. As a result, embracing popular American culture became a means of defining one’s identity. The painting was a poignant representation of the struggle to maintain individuality in a society where conforming to Western ideals was the norm.
Medium: Oil on Denim