Spaces That Hold Us
Artwork by Bhen Alan
MARCH 24 - JUNE 3 2025
Spaces That Hold Us explored how Filipino-Americans in Providence, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas shape their cultural identity within unexpected, everyday spaces. From Asian grocery store aisles, ice cream shops, university parks, apartment kitchens, dining tables to intimate community gatherings - Filipino-Americans claim these locations as cultural hubs, transforming them into places where heritage, community, and identity converge. These spaces may not be formally designated for cultural expression, but they have evolved into powerful sites of belonging and self-definition. Here, the mundane becomes meaningful. These spaces serve not only as reminders of the Philippines, but also as symbols of adaptation and pride, embodying the dynamic nature of Filipino-American culture.
Bhen Alan (b.1993) is a visual artist, dancer, and educator raised in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines. He grew up dancing traditional folk and cultural dances to preserve their culture. He immigrated to Toronto, Canada, when he was 17 years old before settling in the United States.
I think public spaces in general are so important. And the Library tends to cultivate a safe space, along with being a public space. So being an artist coming into that kind of space, I feel very secure being able to show my work, talk to the public . . . everyone just wants to learn and grow together. And that's a really, really cool thing.