VENAZIR
Weaving Communities with a
Red Thread
VENAZIR
Venazir, a Filipina muralist and visual anthropreneur, weaves a tapestry of narratives that explore the connections between human traditions and the ever-changing landscapes that shape them. She intertwines the tales of diverse communities, binding them with a symbolic red thread.
Early Works &
Initiatives
In her early years of artistic journey in the Philippines, she launched a public art initiative aimed at transforming urban spaces into vibrant stories, interweaving Filipino identities and narratives from various regions. Hailing from Baguio City, in 2017, she introduced Hilabana, meaning “woven path,” which symbolizes the red thread linking the diverse yet unified identities of Filipinos. This motif represents an unbroken lineage of cultural pride and shared history.
The red thread in each mural embodies the invisible connections that unite individuals, families, and communities across distances, bridging the past with the present, as well as local identities with global perspectives. Through her large-scale, vivid murals, she narrates tales of migration and the ongoing quest to preserve cultural roots amidst constantly evolving environments.
Recognition & Impact
Hilabana received international acclaim during Filipino American History Month, with exhibitions across the United States in 2023. Venazir’s solo showcase at the John Hope Franklin Center at Duke University and the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco fostered connections with diasporic Filipino communities.
Her murals, including Ani – Harvested Hopes in San Francisco’s South of Market District, Pandanggo sa Ilaw in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Between Memory and Bloom in Flint, Michigan, reflect her dedication to portraying the hopes, challenges, and aspirations of migrant communities. These works honor the dreams of various groups who have journeyed to the United States, showcasing how public art can encapsulate individual stories within a broader, collective narrative.
The Outstanding Young Men for Arts & Culture 2024
In December 2024, Venazir received The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award, a prestigious national recognition for Filipinos aged 18 to 40 who have made significant contributions to their fields or communities. Organized by JCI Philippines with the support of the TOYM Foundation, this award celebrates inspiring examples of altruism. This honor highlights Venazir’s remarkable contributions to public art and cultural heritage, establishing her as a global ambassador for arts and culture.
2025 National Mural Awards
Dream Big Award
In May 2025, she was honored with the inaugural Dream Big Award from the National Mural Awards in Salt Lake City, Utah, sponsored by Rust-Oleum. This accolade recognizes murals that reflect community identity, promote unity, and create lasting impact, acknowledging her mural in San Francisco's Filipino Cultural Heritage District, SOMA Pilipinas, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Filipino heritage.
The Outstanding Alumni for Arts, Culture, & Social Change
In October 2025, she received the UP Alumni Award in Art, Culture, and Social Change from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America. This award honors outstanding alumni whose creative vision and cultural leadership have significantly impacted society, celebrating those who embody the values of the University of the Philippines while uplifting communities through art, heritage, and transformative social engagement.
Continuing Journey
She embarked on a mural tour across Michigan, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Virginia, continuing to weave the symbolic red thread, which became a gift of connection among the communities she encountered along her journey. Recently, Venazir completed an international artist residency, where she was selected to create a mural in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project, a program funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh.
As Hilabana continues to expand, Venazir envisions a global network of murals, each serving as a unique yet interconnected thread in a tapestry of diverse histories and identities. These murals serve as maps of the human experience, linking people across cultures and time. This movement stands as a testament to the power of art in fostering dialogue on identity, migration, and resilience, inviting individuals to explore their roots and reimagine their place within a larger, interconnected world.
