Born in Batanes, Philippines, Pacita Abad (1946 – 2004) received her initial art training from the University of the Philippines before extending her studies at the University of San Francisco, California and later at the Art Students League, New York in the 70s. Spending most of her life away from Philippines, her personal appreciation of the predicament and paradox in the claims of Filipino identity is acute. She was also the artist behind the colourfully-painted Alkaff Bridge in Singapore in 2004.
