SANTOS
SANTOS
Asuang - a frightening creature of Filipino folklore with an inherent multiple self; not only is she a hybrid of witch and vampire, but she is also a self-segmenter, discarding her lower half to hunt for viscera in the night. If re-attachment is interrupted (by means of rubbing ash, spices, vinegar etc onto the lower half, or by hiding her lower half) then “the viscera sucker dies fragmented.” Here, a reconfiguration of the asuang narrative takes place, and mimicking its origins, once again becomes a product of inversions. Retaining the characteristically blood-shot eyes, these new translations of the asuang self-segment from the land itself – as they seemingly rise up and unearth themselves, carrying their homes on their backs. These transient monsters imply an absence of point of origin/destination (home), and instead embrace unfixity and growth.
modern asuang
chest bites
2009
24” x 18”
Graphite on paper,
mounted on wood
15/15