IJWBAA's definitions
A philosophical, cultural, and aesthetic movement that merges the principles of minimalism with decolonial thought. It advocates for rejecting excessive consumerism and colonial influences in favor of intentional, ethical, and culturally rooted practices. Decolonial minimalism emphasizes sustainability, indigenous knowledge systems, and the reclamation of identity through simplicity and conscious choices.
His paintings embody decolonial minimalism, stripping away colonial aesthetics to highlight indigenous symbols and narratives in their rawest, most powerful form.
by IJWBAA June 15, 2025
Get the decolonial minimalismmug. Someone who practices a form of minimalism that actively rejects colonial influences while embracing indigenous, ancestral, or historically marginalized aesthetics and values. This approach prioritizes cultural preservation through simplicity, ensuring that every object, space, or design choice holds deep meaning rather than adhering to Western minimalist standards.
My wardrobe is decolonial minimalist—each piece is ethically sourced and rooted in my heritage, free from colonial fast-fashion trends.
by IJWBAA June 15, 2025
Get the decolonial minimalistmug. noun | SL - kan·ən·fold
A canonfold is when grassroots artistry, long sidelined or postponed, is finally embraced by institutional canon—without shedding its radical roots. It’s a convergence marked by time-earned mastery, poetic timing, and the quiet power of recognition arriving late but landing true.
A canonfold is when grassroots artistry, long sidelined or postponed, is finally embraced by institutional canon—without shedding its radical roots. It’s a convergence marked by time-earned mastery, poetic timing, and the quiet power of recognition arriving late but landing true.
The indigenous weaving of the Ifugao, once dismissed as mere craft, canonfolded into cultural heritage—now safeguarded through museum collections and preservation initiatives.
by IJWBAA September 12, 2025
Get the canonfoldmug. IJWBAA (noun) SL eej-wah—Short for “I Just Wanna Be an Artist,” the pseudonym of Paul ‘Pao’ Hafalla, an international digital artist who founded Decolonial Minimalism, an art movement reclaiming minimalism through Filipino and postcolonial narratives.
Ever since I started experimenting with digital art, I feel like an IJWBAA—just trying to make something meaningful.
by IJWBAA June 16, 2025
Get the IJWBAAmug.