Christine Hudson

Kapwa?

March 22nd - April 13th, 2025
Opening Reception Saturday, March 22nd, 7-10pm

Monte Vista Projects is pleased to present Kapwa?, a solo exhibition by Christine Hudson. Kapwa? is  an inquiry into the ways we form and sustain relationships within our community, within ourselves, and within the environment around us. What shifts occur when we position selfhood as collective rather than individualistic?

The work throughout the show ruminates on the Filipino concept of “kapwa,” which speaks to the interconnectedness of the self with others. Kapwa is not just about shared space, but a shared inner self—where the boundaries between individual identity and the collective operate in conjunction. The prefix “ka” denotes relationships, companionship, or alliance, while “pwa” (or “puang”) signifies space. Together, they convey the idea of being in relationship with others and shaping our sense of self through those connections. The work delves into the complexities of fostering togetherness, while also considering the implications generated within the formation of this grouping. How can community engender care without homogenizing personhood, allowing room for difference, conflict, and change?

Using ceramics, Kapwa? recreates objects considered supplemental —things that help build or support others—and explores the ways in which we attribute value and power to such objects through the application of ornamentation. Elements of food are also incorporated within the sculptures, accentuating the bonds created and sustained within a community. The connotation of nourishment is imbricated with the notion of hospitality, inviting reflection on how we align our inner selves with the gesture of abundance to cultivate the collective. What role do the additive, the supplemental, and the embellishment play in our understanding of care, reciprocity, and interconnectedness?

Christine Hudson (they/them) is an artist that works in sculpture, ceramics, performance, and installation. Their art situates personal narrative as an entry point to integrate discussions of community, care, resistance, and resilience. Their utilization of objects and space investigate the ways visual language can be employed as a powerful tool for archiving histories that are often erased, overlooked, or rendered silent. By highlighting the subtle tensions between the varying degrees of visibility, their practice imagines a rethinking of what preserving these marginalized untold stories entails, creating a space for healing, remembrance, and empowerment. These explorations prompt viewers to reflect on the enduring influence of history and traditions on our lives and collective consciousness. They received their MFA from the University of California Irvine and their BFA in ceramics from California State University Long Beach.