Maria Antonieta (Ting) Pimentel-Elger

This is how I describe my arts:
Multi-faceted, multi culture, hyphenated Artist in many forms, engaging, experimental, diverse ways & modalities:
· Literary: Poetry, Stories, Vignettes (English, Filipino, Taglish, Sign Language).
· Visual: Abstract Painting, Murals, small works, printed arts.
· Performing / Movement: Performative Poetry, Public reading / Spoken Word; act, stage production, dance competition.
· Combination: Yoga, poetry, creative journalling, meditation/affirmation intuitive, nature therapy (micro-organic farming, composting), dance, neuro art, slam or street poetry.
Instagram

Your artistic journey spans over three decades across two continents. How have your experiences in different cultures shaped your art?

My lived experience in different cultures opened my eyes and heart to create a more open and accepting art with awareness of the beauty and uniqueness each culture offers.

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Trees are alive

You describe your artistic expression as intuitive and abstracted. Can you elaborate on what this process looks like for you when creating new works?

As an artist, I try to start any process by grounding and centering myself through breath, through what I hear and feel and see, and be in touch with my whole self before letting the colours and the marks show clarity on the paper or the canvas; being aware of what the creation is telling me…

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Late Summer Garden

In addition to visual art, you are involved in poetry, creative writing, and public readings. How do these different forms of expression influence one another in your practice?

I find that the visual art compliments my literary, as well as my performative arts. I can see, feel, hear colours and words and images that translates in many forms including poetry reading, intuitive dance and creative journaling.

You identify as a trauma-informed artist and self-love advocate. How do these aspects manifest in your artwork and creative projects?

I would like to think that my trauma informed background is a tool for healing that invites people to feel safe in interpreting and captivating the essence and meaning of my creations. I hope that this can be an encouragement to continue the healing journey, whereever they may be.

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Free to be Freda

What role does your Filipino heritage play in your art, and how do you blend it with your experiences in Canada?

In the last five years, I have come to better understand and promote my Filipino heritage in my endeavours, especially with art- passing this rich heritage to the new generation.

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Gumamela Sa Buwan

You mentioned facing challenges like red tape and creative blocks in your journey. How do you overcome these obstacles and continue evolving as an artist?

I have seen the emergence of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in the last several years- and this paved the way for me to start to be ME – my racial identity, my gender, my age- without cowering and hiding. Now I feel that I am seen and heard through my art.

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Ting Selfportrait

Can you share a bit about the creative process behind some of your latest works, such as “Free to be Freda,” “Manila Lights,” and “Trees are Alive”?

These are all products of COVID and isolation and lots of learning and experimenting. The Manila Lights is a favourite since it was blind curated and was part of an exhibit in the prestigious Art Gallery of Alberta, and I was fortunate this art was also included in the Alberta Travelling Exhibit, and was featured in my local Art Gallery in Strathcona County where I live.

Ting Pimentel-Elger | Manila Lights