Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits)

April Werle
An in gallery mural installation, with prints and paintings illustrating re-imaginings of memories and oral history passed down, rooted in the North American Filipino diaspora.

April Werle:

Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits)

BAIR GALLERY September 9 - November 6

September 9 – November 6, 2022

April Werle returns to her hometown of Helena, to exhibit Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits), painting a temporary mural along the east wall, to accompany an installation of prints and paintings.

Werle is known for her iconic black and white hands that serve as universal storytellers, creating artworks that explore the intersections of identity, place and culture.  She creates her settings with Filipino motifs and abstracted landscapes, influenced by traditional Philippine art making which is flat and heavily shape and pattern based.  Werle tells stories rooted in the North American Filipino diaspora, by reimagining memories and oral stories passed down to her.

Opening Reception:  Friday, September 9 from 5 – 7 pm

Artist Talk:  Friday, September 9 at 5:30 pm

*This exhibit is supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, an agency of the State Government*

About the Artist

April Werle is the daughter of an immigrant Pinay and third-generation Montanan. She is a mixed Cebuano American artist and muralist, with murals in the USA, Malaysia, Thailand, and Morocco.

April Werle is an active working artist and social activist. She serves on the Arts Missoula Board of Directors, GLOBAL committee, and chairs the BIPOC Art Advisory Council subcommittee.