Artist
Julia Villamonte
Julia Villamonte was born and raised in Bicol, a region in the Philippines with a crafting culture prone to typhoons and storms. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and worked for 10 years as an architect in the Philippines and Italy.
Her work is heavily influenced by her background in architecture and the tradition and crafting culture in her hometown, where she learnt her technique from local weaving communities. She is interested in the traditional use of baskets in the Philippines and their ingenious construction and traditional uses.
“I hope that the users of the objects I create not only appreciate the craftsmanship and time put into the work but also contextually how they were created by a maker from the Philippines and I hope in a way they get a sense of the place.”