Visual Arts

An exploration of the joys and contradictions of growing up 

August 7, 2026August 7, 2026  
The artist Ja Amores is “pusang ina” (cat mom) to Floki and Amigo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
The artist Ja Amores is “pusang ina” (cat mom) to Floki and Amigo. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

BAGUIO CITY — What does it mean to grow up in an age shaped by online culture, inherited traditions, and ever-shifting ideas of adulthood? In her first solo exhibition, Gorls Gorls Gorls, illustrator and visual artist Ja Amores reflects on these questions and the emotional landscape of girlhood.

Opening on Aug. 8 at Indigo Gallery, BenCab Museum, the exhibition presents a new body of paintings drawn from Amores’ lived experiences. Her signature wind-swept figures appear suspended between movement and stillness, capturing the various emotions that mark the transition from girlhood to womanhood.

 “Pusang Ina,” Ja Amores (2026), acrylic and gouache on canvas.

At the heart of Gorls Gorls Gorls is the recognition that growing up today rarely follows a straight path. Family memories, online culture, fictional characters, and imagined futures overlap to shape the identities of a generation navigating an increasingly fast-paced world. No definitive answers are presented; instead, the exhibition embraces the complexities of becoming—finding confidence through experimentation, accepting vulnerability, and learning to move forward despite uncertainty.

The exhibition also mirrors the artistic journey of Amores, who studied social sciences (major in history) at the University of the Philippines. A self-taught artist based in Baguio, she does illustrations for books and murals for children’s libraries. Her work has been presented at major illustration fairs in Manila, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. 

 “me vs me vs you,” Ja Amores (2026), acrylic and gouache on canvas.

“My very first illustration fair was when I started to confidently call myself an artist without any hesitation. Seeing and being with different artists and their art made me feel my art can speak for itself too,” she says, adding:

“Looking back, I think that’s what this exhibition is really about: trusting yourself and owning it even when you don’t know exactly where you’re headed.“

Blending humor with dreamlike imagery, Amores celebrates young women forging their own paths. Gorls Gorls Gorls is a heartfelt reflection on resilience, self-discovery, and the ever-evolving nature of becoming. CONTRIBUTED

The exhibition runs until Sept. 27 at Indigo Gallery, BenCab Museum, Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet. For inquiries, contact Marz Aglipay at 09279952291 or Vina Tandoc (BenCab Museum) at 09205301954.

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