Today we’d like to introduce you to April Werle.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a Filipino American artist and muralist.
I started focusing on telling stories rooted in my cultural heritage a couple years ago, which has connected me to FilAms all over the US, especially in California.
These connections have been pivotal for me feeling confident in my cultural identity, and have helped me reflect on my experience as a Filipino in the diaspora.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth.
In 2018, I decided I wasn’t a great multi-tasker and couldn’t work a job while I worked on my art practice.
I lived in my car and a tiny home for a while, before increasingly getting more stable. I didn’t hate living super modestly for a while, while I balanced my expenses and income because I was still in my mid-20s and it felt like an adventure.
Now, I have a studio at home, which I discovered was the stability that I needed to grow my practice.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a mixed Cebuano American artist and muralist, and the daughter of a Pinay immigrant.
I create artworks that explore the intersections of identity, place, and culture.
Hand gestures play a significant cultural role in my work. The gesture of amin, or mano po, is a Filipino practice of paying respects to elders through physical touch. The act of amin involves touching the elder’s hand to one’s forehead to receive blessings. By making hands the subjects of my work, I recognize and emphasize the importance of hands as givers of wisdom.
In my work, I tell stories rooted in the North American Filipino diaspora by reimagining memories and oral stories passed down to me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Make your practice a daily ritual.
Eventually, you will figure out the flow of your practice. You’ll find rhythm and trends in your year, and that will help you make smart decisions on the business end.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aprilwerle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/aprilwerle
Image Credits
Sarah Pugh Photography
