Umudi Series

 

Umudi, Pauwi

There are moments in Batanes that feel ordinary when you live here, but the longer you observe them, the more they begin to carry weight.

One of those moments is umudi.

Umudi means pauwi, that quiet part of the afternoon when Ivatans start walking home from the field or the sea. The pace is slow. The baskets are full. The body is tired. The heart, steady. No drama, no rush, just the simple dignity of finishing the day and returning to the people and places that matter.

Today I am sharing two works from my Umudi series, a body of paintings I keep coming back to.

Why I paint umudi

I have always been fascinated by this scene because it says so much without trying to say anything at all. It is a visual language of responsibility, patience and faithfulness. It is the rhythm of our islands.

When I take reference photos for these pieces, I usually shoot from behind. Not because I want to hide the face, but because I do not want to interrupt the moment. I want to observe how the subject moves and how they carry the day with them. There is something powerful about a figure seen from the back, it invites the viewer to step into the story. It creates space for memory. It allows the painting to feel personal even to someone who has never been here.

What I want the viewer to feel

When you look at these works, I hope you sense that gentle pull of home. The kind of home that is not just a house, but a direction. A destination. A promise.

Umudi is not only about returning from work, it is also about returning to identity. To culture. To the small, quiet responsibilities that shape a life.

These are some of my favorite pieces to paint and I will be creating more from this series soon.

For collectors and those who feel connected to the story

My works are hosted at Raywen Hamyan Gallery and for collectors who feel a connection to this narrative, Commissions are now open for collectors who wish to have a piece created in this series.

If you would like to inquire about availability, pricing or a commissioned Umudi piece, you may reach me through my contact page or send a message through my official channels.

Thank you for taking time to look. Here in Batanes, stories do not always shout. Most of them simply walk home, carrying the day with grace.