Ralph C. Lumbres

I grew up in a rural village in Bukidnon, Mindanao Island, Philippines. From a young age, I witnessed the socio-economic realities and environmental challenges faced by one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. However, my childhood was also filled with joy—I played in the hills, rivers, and woods, crafted DIY toys, and climbed trees with friends, cousins, animals, and insects. During those formative years, I embraced creativity without any formal understanding of what “Art” meant. Growing up in a tight-knit community taught me about collectivism even before I encountered this term. In university, I studied fine arts, but the program left me disillusioned. It felt too individualistic, centered around studio work and exhibition format. After graduation, I struggled to find my artistic direction because I lacked motivation to create art objects solely for galleries. These experiences led me to shift my focus toward collaborative, community-based projects and eventually to the formation of Salikhain Kolektib—an interdisciplinary collective with a particular focus on the environment and participatory art and research methodologies. Collaboration and process lie at the heart of my practice. Working with friends and other individuals brings me joy and fuels my creativity. Involving others in the creative process is incredibly powerful—it encourages connections, especially when our world is getting more and more polarized. My view of art is holistic—I seek alternative systems rooted in my reality, culture, and history. Pre-colonial Philippine ‘art,’ with its highly social and transdisciplinary nature, served practical and spiritual purposes in daily life. Informed by this tradition, I use my art practice to envision more connected futures.