The Natural World
Ambie Abaño takes us on a journey that reflects how nature is an integral part of who we are.
By Art+ Magazine Team
Photo courtesy of JL Diquit
November 13, 2025
We experience nature in different ways, through different moments of our lives. Ambie Abaño’s love, rain, and deathless beauty… continues her series of reflections on the natural environment. Known for her complex self-portraits as she looks inward, Abaño turns her gaze outward to what makes us human. Nature is part of who we are and how we live our lives. We thrive in sunshine, water makes up much of who we are, and our connection to our environment nourishes our souls.
Yet, the contemporary moment finds itself in conflict with nature. Anthropocene, the geologic time where human intervention directly alters climate and the environment, is upon us—something unheard of since the earth’s existence. Capitalist greed and overconsumption impede significant climate action. Local and national politics reveal inadequacies in caring, not just for the environment, but for fellow human beings. The inhumane indignities Filipinos endure are tied to the fragile state of our habitat. Instead of joyous celebrations, rain is met with apprehension, fear, and restlessness.
"...surround me with your fragrance once more..."
Within the complexities of life, Abaño looks toward love. With years spent on self-reflection, caregiving, and perfecting her technique, she has become more conscious of her role, not just in society, but in the universe. Though earth is marred with scars, where unkindness and ugliness persist, love still runs alongside it all. With society in chaos, natural habitats continually destroyed, and corruption running rampant—beauty exists and continues to do so.
legacy of a single 'Mother tree'
Beauty takes many forms. The flower blooms, and for a single moment, it is perfection incarnate. Then it withers, as it should, eventually dying and falling to earth. Though the moment of perfection passed, the flower falls to the soil—decomposing, transforming—eventually becoming part of a plant once again. Perhaps enriching the root, stem, leaves, and even ending up as another bloom. The flower, budding in the sunshine, blooming, and for another moment, existing again in perfection.
Humans can do better, disentangling themselves from the cycle of corruption and systemic abuse they find themselves in. Yet, as part of nature, we live in love and beauty, we cycle through life and death, and we never truly cease to exist—we continually transform, in different forms, as the earth and the universe dictate. Contemplating our role in the bigger picture is overwhelming. Do we truly impact social, political, and natural events as we study, work, live, and play? Does each action send out a ripple—or are we all just dust in the end? We have our moments, and such moments eventually pass. Life continues—and the universe cycles through.
Abaño’s love, rain, and deathless beauty… takes us on a journey. It asks more questions than it answers. Each flower blooms so fleetingly, but remains within the universe. Rain falls to different rhythms—the evil of corruption and the source of all life. Trees, existing quietly, falling or not, often beyond easy comprehension. Each print, the same and different—with its own character and depth. There is a beginning to a journey, as well as an end, that becomes its own new beginning. Persisting, as the universe persists.
"...your silence brings me to stillness..."
The show runs from October 16 to December 12 at JCB Gallery, Philippine Women’s University, Malate, Manila. It is done in partnership with Tin-Aw Art Management. An Artist Talk & Demo will be held on November 13 at 2pm. For more information, contact [email protected].
