Kathy Delumpa Allegri on nature, health, and wellness through art

Unveiling We are working toward a just world where… The health, well-being and survival of our communities and the natural world are understood as more important than individual profit, and supported through equitable distribution of wealth and resources.

Our third artwork in our We are working toward a just world where… series comes from Kathy Delumpa Allegri.

Kathy Delumpa Allegri

I immigrated to America from the Philippines in 1949. I embrace my heritage, intuition, and yin/yang to describe relationships in my paintings.

I began art and foreign language studies at the University of California. I focused on raising my family while working as a graphic artist and resumed completion of my Bachelor of Science in Art at Colorado State University.

For years, I taught watercolor painting at Mt. Hood Community College, then, opened my own gallery to showcase my paintings, from 2000 - 2014. I’ve been a plein air painting instructor for 25 years.

Artist’s Statement

The health, well-being and survival of our communities and the natural world are understood as more important than individual profit, and supported through equitable distribution of wealth and resources.

”Water is life” because of its vital healing properties, so, I chose to portray its potential as organic “currency,” to prioritize the equitable sharing of opportunities, goods, and resources over individual profit, in a just world.

Within a woven “tapestry, I integrated Asian and Pacific Island symbols with which I’m familiar~~seigaha, (repetitive ocean waves); gingko (longevity), beloved native plants~ laua`e fern, red ō`hi`a flower, fragrant sampaguita/pikake jasmine, as well as sharks’ teeth and supportive hands (empowerment), a sense of place/APANO (iconic Oregon mountains and waterfalls), and the vibrant life colors that proclaim energy, wisdom, hope, and love.

More about the series

Launched in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, We are working toward a just world where… commissioned six unique Asian and Pacific Islander artists to create original artwork envisioning a world of solidarity, justice, and empowerment. Each artist was selected through an open call application process and chose one of APANO’s core values to illustrate. Their artwork reflects the depth of our experiences and envisions the shared future we want to see: a prosperous, healthy future in which our families and communities have the rights, recognition, and resources to truly thrive.

This project amplifies APANO’s cultural work strategy, which seeks to use creativity to center the voices and experiences of Asian and Pacific Islanders, shift harmful narratives, and envision alternatives. It was strongly inspired by Strong Families’ Mama’s Day and Trans Day of Resilience projects, which we encourage you to explore. Learn more about our cultural work here and read about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month here.