Spring ‘21: My Here is Her
Khim Hipol is a Filipino artist who immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ ílwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. He focuses his lens on the ideas around body, culture and identity, and their effects profoundly impact our contemporary culture today. Using lens-based media, he explores how a human subject's visual representation shapes our interpretation of one another.
“pagnilay-nilay” (medidate) digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
Artist Statement
I have always been fascinated to the magic that a camera creates. It has been consistently engaged as a medium of nostalgia, idealization, and documentation. In my opinion a camera has been a way for us to see things and to connect us in certain aspects of our lives, even cultures and histories. A camera has provided us a viewfinder that frames individual images that either captures it beauty or present issues that people need to focus on.
I intend to create a work with photography to speak about the land I am currently living in. North Vancouver th̓e unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlílwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations has been my home for the last five years after we immigrated from the Philippines five years ago. "My Here is Her" is a project that highlights my appreciation the new land I am residing. It is now where I belong, where my roots will grow. A place I will call my home. It also makes me look at the history, story, and the purpose of this land. Even more, "My Here is Her" not only showcases the beauty of north Vancouver, but it also upholds values and context that could be studied which aims to acknowledge and deepen viewers' understanding of the land they are walking on, running, and exploring. I hope this project would make them understand that this location is a place for recreational and more so an area of story and history.
“talinaay” (peaceful) digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
“kalinaw” (tranquility) digital photographs, archival print. 24 x 18 inches. 2020.
“unitled”, digital photographs, archival print. 24 x 18 inches. 2020.
“untitled”, digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
“untitled”, digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
“paraiso” (paradise). digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
“ang tubig ng buhay” ( the water of life ) digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.
“walang hanggang kapangyarihan” (endless power) digital photographs, archival print. 18 x 24 inches. 2020.