The makahiya plant, known for its hypersensitive nature, folds its tiny leaflets inward when touched, a defensive response that artist Florence Solis draws upon in her captivating collection of portraits. Starting with digital collages that blend figures with delicate, organic ornaments, Solis brings these imagined forms to life on canvas. Each protagonist in her work is shrouded in intricate, beaded veils or entwined with botanical elements, appearing bound and concealed, their bodies and faces obscured by flowing hair or lush foliage.
Solis sees these figures not as restricted, but as embodying strength and transformation. She reflects on the quiet resilience of Filipino women, who have been conditioned to yield and take up less space, yet possess an undeniable inner force that persists, adapts, and claims its own space in the world.
Working with vibrant, often monochromatic palettes, Solis creates portraits of women who exude a sense of magical power. Drawing inspiration from Filipino folklore and the belief in the divine potential of everyday experiences, her paintings depict women rooted in tradition and myth, yet determined to navigate their own journey of transformation.
The striking portraits featured in Solis’s collection will be showcased at EXPO CHICAGO this week in collaboration with The Mission Projects. To see more of Solis’s work, visit her Instagram profile.
