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 Designer & Practitioner.
Background
Growing up in and around London, UK, I was immersed in a creative environment, surrounded by books and deeply connected to nature and ancestral traditions rooted in both my British and Filipino heritage.
My family’s legacy is deeply rooted in design, cooking, and a deep connection to the land. And spans generations of dressmakers and tailors, chefs and food merchants, landscape gardeners, gamekeepers, farmers, and seafarers. This rich heritage has profoundly influenced my outlook on life and work.
I am passionate about cultivating a sustainably creative life, which outside of my creative practice extends to designing nurturing environments, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs and preparing them for holistic, health, and spiritual purposes. My culinary creations to date have included a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes. As well as unique preserves, pickles, infusions, and dried preparations for vitality, flavour, food smoking and fragrance.
Edible Garden Design
At the heart of my practice is edible garden design for consumption but also for connection, peace and comfort. Designs which are beautiful as well as practical and productive. Which emphasise natural layout techniques, and align 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.