An Artists Life through Plants, Plates & Play @aklapchronicles
Aklap [uhk-LUHP] n. & verb root Kapampangan;
To Spread Light Throughout the World
In addition to being a Contemporary Artist, I am also an Earth Worker, Cuisinier, and Horticulture Practitioner.
Growing up in and around London, UK, I was immersed in a creative and intellectual environment. Surrounded by books and deeply connected to nature and ancestral traditions rooted in my Filipino and British heritage. My family’s legacy in cooking and the land spanning chefs, gamekeepers, farmers and landscape gardeners has shaped my approach to life and work.
I am passionate about cultivating a sustainably creative life, which extends to growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs and preparing them for holistic, health, and spiritual purposes. My culinary creations include preserves, infusions, and dried preparations for vitality, flavour and ceremonial burning.
At the heart of my practice is edible garden design, which emphasises natural layout techniques, and aligns with our home’s unique rhythms, interactions, and energy.
This connection to the Earth has instilled in me a profound empathy for our planet, its habitats, and its species. My love of movement has inspired me to run and raise funds for organisations like ZSL Edge of Existence and the World Wide Fund for Nature, supporting their vital efforts to protect nature and biodiversity. As a healthy and diverse Earth is essential for all of us to thrive.