top of page
The Artist, CLENG Sumagaysay

About

Cathlyn CLENG SUMAGAYSAY-del Rosario

ARTIST STATEMENT


     Diffidence has always been a hindrance; hence, I often struggle to share this creative gift which I discovered when I was three. It was only recently that I was finally able to come out of my protective shell. This renewed passion has allowed me to teach myself of the deeper purpose of art, and that is--to open the beholder’s mind and soul to limitless possibilities. My work does not always need to make sense, since abstract ideas behind the images cannot be fully translated to confining contexts. My artworks oscillate between the juxtaposition of concepts—the mundane and the surreal, reality and dreams. The emphasis on introspection through the subtle and apparent symbolism in my paintings merged with the viewer's own subjective interpretation reveal the meaning of my works. I believe that a true work of art speaks to the subconscious and beyond, and gives way for immateriality to come to the surface: to form, to canvas. Perhaps, I was born to awaken the somnambulistic viewers from their nescient slumber, to resurrect the forgotten archetypes, and to help heal this somber planet through my ART.

 

BIO

 

    Cathlyn "CLENG" Sumagaysay-del Rosario received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts from the oldest university in Asia, University of Santo Tomas, in Manila, Philippines in 2001. She taught Mass Communication at Palawan State University for a year before migrating to the United States in 2002. She attended the Los Angeles City College in 2005 and transferred to California State University, Long Beach in 2008 to study art. From 2007 to present, she has been exhibiting and working on various art-related projects both in the United States and Asia. Her self-portrait painting, “At the Forefront of an Archaic Yet Seemingly New Paradigm” (2011), became the cover of the book, “KOMENTULARYOS”, by an award-winning Filipino poet and writer, Tomas F. Agulto.

    CLENG was chosen as one of the 10 Most Outstanding Palaweno Artists for the first ever “My City, My SM, My Art” juried by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in 2018. She also became one of the Top 10 Philippine Contemporary Artists from the Regions (Palawan) in 2020. 

   Sumagaysay’s self-portrait mural at Wild Feather in Lower Haight, San Francisco, California helped launch the historic Paint the Void project in 2020; it was also featured on Fox News and mentioned in Forbes, Yahoo News, and several articles. She was one of the artists featured in the book, PAINTING THE VOID: How Art Transformed the San Francisco Bay Area During a Global Pandemic, published by Paint the Void.

    The artist often paints self-portraits emphasizing introspection in her work.

NEWS

FORBES:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathonkeats/2022/01/24/boarded-up-during-the-lockdown-san-francisco-was-transformed-into-a-citywide-mural-now-on-view-in-a-towering-retrospective/amp/

FOX:

https://www.ktvu.com/news/artists-transforming-boarded-up-storefronts-in-san-francisco-into-murals

YAHOO:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bay-area-artists-lighting-empty-203907534.html

HOODLINE:

https://hoodline.com/2020/04/lower-haight-comes-together-to-beautify-boarded-up-storefronts

 

SECRET SAN FRANCISCO:

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/paint-the-void-exhibition/

ARTBUSINESS:

https://www.artbusiness.com/1open/052017.html

THE PHILIPPINE STAR:

https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20181216/282651803582991

PUBLICATIONS

September 2024 Issue, Featured Artist, LUX CLUB MAGAZINE:

"Her Time is Now" by Emmanuel Rigoberto Tolentino; Photographed by Vincent Gotti

September 2024 Issue, Featured Artist, ART SCENE + MAGAZINE:

"Her Time is Now" by Emmanuel Rigoberto Tolentino; Photographed by Vincent Gotti

​​

2024 Featured Artist, PAINTING THE VOID BOOK: How Art Transformed the San Francisco Bay Area

During a Global Pandemic by Paint the Void 

2013 Book Cover Art, KOMENTULARYOS: Despedida kay Balagtas by Tomas F. Agulto

2012 Book Cover Art, KOMENTULARYOS: Usapang Makatas by Tomas F. Agulto

AFFILIATIONS

Divergence Art Collective,

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA:

Artist

San Francisco City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA:

Artist

Paint the Void,

San Francisco, California, USA:

Artist

2051 Thirdspace,

San Francisco, California, USA:

Artist

Uniprint, Hongkong

Artist

Art on the Move, 

Palawan, Philippines:

Co-founder

Human Projector, Canvas Hotel Murals,

Palawan, Philippines:

Artist

Art Kompak, Kalye Artisano, Lio, El Nido,

Palawan, Philippines:

Artist

MINUS,

Los Angeles, California, USA:

Frontwoman/Musician

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2024

October 2024, "Works of HeART"

2358MRKT Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

October 2024, "October Group Show"

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

September 2024, "COHSF Art Auction 2024"

SOMArts Cultural Center,

San Francisco, California, USA

August 2024, "Nautilus II"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

June 2024, "Sound Visions"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

April 2024, "GODS & Monsters"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

February 2024, "Opposites"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

January 2024, "Home"

The Drawing Room Annex, Valencia St.

San Francisco, California, USA

2023

September 2023, "The Hive Art Swarm"

FM Oakland Gallery

Oakland, California, USA

August 2023, "2051 Thirdspace Group Show"

The Sycamore

San Francisco, California, USA

June 2023, "Vignette Wonderland"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

June 2023, "Circus Town"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

The Hive Gallery & Studios,

Los Angeles, California, USA

April 2023, "Garden of Resilience"

Divergence Art Collective Group Show

Distinction Gallery,

Escondido, California, USA

April 2023, "April Group Show"

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

February 2023, "Sky"

The Drawing Room Annex,

San Francisco, California, USA

January 2023, "Lucky Rabbit"

Helvella Art Gallery,

Oakland, California, USA

2022

December 2022, "16x16"

Mirus Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

December 2022, "Krampus Art Show"

Memento Mori Gallery,

Lakewood, Colorado, USA

December 2022, "Sea"

The Drawing Room Annex,

San Francisco, California, USA

November 2022, "Gregorio Fine Art First Show"

Gregorio Fine Art Gallery,

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

October 2022, "Ink & Easel Studio 3rd Anniversary Show"

Ink & Easel Art Studio & Gallery,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

September 2022, "COHSF Art Auction 2022"

SOMArts Cultural Center,

San Francisco, California, USA

 August 2022, "August Group Show"

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

June 2022, "Wonderland",

Helvella Art Gallery,

Oakland, California, USA

April 2022, "Helvella Fundraiser/First Group Show",

Helvella Art Gallery,

Oakland, California, USA

March 2022, "Women Rising",

The Drawing Room Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

February 2022, "Tides of Change",

The Drawing Room Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

January 2022, WonderlandSF's "SKATE",

Mirus Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

2021

November 2021, "Valencia Street Art Corridor"

Artyhood SF,

San Francisco, California, USA

September 2021, "September Group Show"

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

August 2021, "First Artscape Show"

Sunset Mercantile,

San Francisco, California, USA

July 2021, "Hayes Valley Shared Streets"

HVNA,

San Francisco, California, USA

March 2021, "Hayes Valley Shared Streets"

HVNA,

San Francisco, California, USA

January 2021, WonderlandSF's "The Return of Discolandia",

111 Minna Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

2020

November 2020, "Paint the Void Murals & Gastro Lab: Botanical Flavors" ,

The Midway SF,

San Francisco, California, USA

October 2020, "Future Tense, What Has (Not) Happened (Yet)",

The Drawing Room SF Annex Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

October 2020, "Bay Area Artist's Choice",

San Francisco Women Artists Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

September 2020, "September Group Show",

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

March 2020, "Women Rising",

The Drawing Room SF,

San Francisco, California, USA

February 2020, "February Group Show",

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

2019

November 2019, "November Group Show",

SF City Art Gallery,

San Francisco, California, USA

August 2019, "26th Annual Pistahan Festival",

Yerba Buena Gardens,

San Francisco, California, USA

August 2019, "Urban Night Market",

Rock Wall Wine Company,

Alameda, California, USA

July 2019, "Arthur Macs Art & Merch",

Oakland, California, USA

June 2019, "LIKHart SF Group Show,

Kalayaan SF", Union Square,

San Francisco, California, USA

February 2019, "AOTM Group Show",

Stellar Grounds,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2018

December 2018, "Stellar Group Show",

Stellar Grounds,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

October 2018, "My City, My SM, My Art",

SM Mall,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

September 2018, “One Parallel Vision”,

Robinsons Place,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

August 2018, “Hand in Hand”,

Paseo Art Gallery,

Makati, Philippines

June 2018, “Baragatan Art Show 2018”,

Provincial Capitol,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2017

May 2017, "SUMMER OF LOVE Bay Area Juried Exhibition",

Arc Gallery, Folsom Street,

San Francisco, California, USA

2016

November 2016, "Contemporary Art & Music Showcase",

Haight Gallery, Haight-Ashbury,

San Francisco, California, USA

November 2016, "Chocolate & Art Show",

SOMArts Cultural Center,

San Francisco, California, USA

September 2016, "Haight Gallery's First Group Show",

Haight Gallery,   Haight-Ashbury,

San Francisco, California, USA

2015

October 2015, “Rotary Club of Makati West: Alay Sining 8”,

The Gallery, Greentbelt 5,

Makati, Philippines

August 2015, "ART ON THE MOVE: First Group Show",

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

June 2015, “BARAGATAN Festival Juried Show”,

Provincial Capitol,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2014

July 2014, “UP Palawenos: Arte Mo, Palaweno”,

Robinson’s Mall,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

February 2014, “Palawan Colors”,

Kalui Gallery,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2013

December 2013, “Alay sa Kalikasan”,

Robinson’s Mall,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

November 2013, “Tabang Calamianes”,

The Gypsy’s Lair Art Café,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

January 2013, "Luwason Nato" (Artists for Nature Group Show),

Turtle’s Nest,

Cebu City, Philippines

2012

December 2012, “Isalbar Ta”,

The Gypsy’s Lair Art Café,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

May 2012, “Images”,

Skylight Hotel,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

February 2012, “HeART Colors”,

Irawan Art Café,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2011

December 2011, “Nature Spirits”,

Lotus Garden,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

October 2011, “An Alien Landscape”,

The Gypsy’s Lair Art Café,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

June 2011, “Konsyerto, Sining, Kalikasan”,

Kinabuch’s,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

May 2011, “Alay Sining”,

Katabom Bar,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

April 2011, “Kalugtan Group Show”,

Balay Tubay Art Gallery,

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

February 2011, “Treebute to Dr. Gerry”,

Palawan Museum,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2010

September 2010, “Bilibid or Not”,

Kalui Gallery,

P.P.C., Palawan, Philippines

2007

March 2007, “DA VINCI Hall Exhibition”,

Los Angeles City College,

Los Angeles, California, USA

2006

December 2006, “DA VINCI Hall Exhibition”,

Los Angeles City College,

Los Angeles, California, USA

October 2006, “DA VINCI Hall Exhibition”,

Los Angeles City College,

Los Angeles, California, USA

bottom of page