Jeanette Lazam \ MULTIPLE DRAWINGS
About the Artwork
Jeanette Lazam is a culture bearer, dancer, self-taught artist and one of the original tenants of the I-Hotel San Francisco (1977). Her evocative drawings explore Philippine mythology, cultural heritage and diaspora. Specifically, she examines the history and lessons embedded within these mythologies, particularly focusing on pre-colonial beliefs that have endured despite the Philippines' diverse cultural influences. Lazam believes that in order to truly understand the history of a people, one must learn the mythology and belief systems of a culture. A notable figure in her drawings is the Aswang, legendary vampire-like spirits whose varied manifestations resonate with her desire to convey the complexity and uniqueness of Filipino culture. Lazam’s artistic practice not only honors the narratives passed down through generations but also serves as a bridge for contemporary audiences seeking to reconnect with their roots.
Music, a pivotal element in Lazam’s life, plays an integral role in her creative process. Influenced by her early experiences as a Conga drum player and her deep appreciation for jazz, she perceives a profound relationship between sound, color, and emotion in her artwork.
Lazam’s drawings are a powerful commentary on the necessity of engaging with Filipino history, especially in a contemporary context marked by societal unrest and racial tension. Her commitment to shedding light on these issues amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and erased histories - urging us to confront the complexities of identity and belonging in America today. In doing so, Lazam positions herself as both an artist and an advocate, ensuring that the legacy of her culture and its mythologies remains vibrant and relevant.
About Jeanette
Jeanette Lazam’s work focuses on Filipino mythology, jazz music and the environment. Born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC, Jeanette came into "being" in 1949. A product of Public Housing in New York City, Jeanette and her family moved to California in 1965.
Inspired by the museums and art galleries she visited in her youth, Jeanette decided to develop her artistic practice after spending time in Taos, New Mexico in 2015. The sweeping curves, light, and shadows of Taos Mountain, the Adobe housing, the Pueblo, and Aztec, Maya, and Inca art greatly inform Jeanette’s art practice.
Her current body of work depicting Filipino mythological creatures seeks to demonstrate to the larger public an alternative history decentralized from current narratives. Jazz music is an integral part of Jeanette’s creative being, having been one of the first woman congo drum pliers to play at Aquatic Park, Dolores Park, and on the UC Berkeley Campus. Paired alongside the environmental themes in her work, Jeanette’s artwork calls attention to the numerous ways humans can reframe their relationships with not only people, but the arts, their environment, and all that is contained within.
Jeanette is an original tenant of the International Hotel and was evicted on August 4, 1977. She returned to live in the new I-Hotel in 2019 after having been gone for almost 40 years and is still drawing today.