Imprint: A tribute in paint by Katrina Chua
Archivo 1984 presents “Imprint,” the debut solo exhibition of self-taught artist Katrina Chua.
Composed of a unique portrait series—tender and heartfelt—that are expressions of love towards ever-loyal companions that we consider family: pets, dogs in particular. Each painting in this inaugural show celebrates the unspoken bonds between people (hoomans) and their beloved furbabies—a language that is mutually and universally understood.
Through the lens of classical realism and expressive alla prima brushwork—that is, at one go, where the brush strokes feel “fresh and alive” and “carry so much character”—Chua captures not just the physical likeness of her subjects in amazing detail, but their individuality and the depth of their emotions as well.
Influenced by 19th-century portraiture, she extends the same artistic sensitivity often reserved for human sitters to the animals she paints. “Through my work, I want to celebrate the quiet connections we share with them,” Chua says.
Seeking solace through art
Art has always been a refuge for Chua growing up. “From a young age, we were encouraged to draw and create,” she recalls. “It was a natural form of self-expression—something I turned to whenever I needed a break from the world.”
Despite this encouragement, however, coming from a Chinese Filipino household meant that art was viewed as a pastime rather than a profession. Still, Chua learned art entirely on her own—”spending hours watching tutorials and practicing whenever I could.”
“It’s been a steady process of experimenting,” Chua further says, where she relies on photographs, multiple shots of her subjects. “Making mistakes, and gradually discovering my own approach,”
“Sometimes I photograph the pet myself, which helps me observe their personality and quirks—those little things often make the biggest difference in the final piece,” Chua continues.
Drawing deep from memory
Unconsciously or not, the emotions that run and come through Chua’s work stem from personal experience and memory. She fondly recalls Tyke, a dog gifted to her when she was 10. “I secretly asked my aunt for a dog for my birthday,” she recalls. “When we got home one night, there was a box waiting—with a puppy inside. Tyke quickly became part of the family.”
This was further amplified by trips to France and Italy, where Chua found herself captivated by the works of Impressionist masters in museums like the Louvre and the Uffizi.
“That balance between simplicity and mastery really resonated with me and continues to influence how I approach my own work,” she says.
For Chua, “Imprint” marks both a culmination of a positive, meaningful journey and of a beginning. “I’ve only been painting in oils for a little over a year, so I feel like I’m still discovering my voice—but that’s what makes it exciting. I’m just grateful that my art has already connected with so many people along the way.”
Imprint runs from Nov. 22 to Dec. 12, 2025, at Archivo 1984, 5/F Building A Karrivin Plaza, 236 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
