About Den Argao
From the Philippines to European soil — carving our ancient script into modern form.
I was born in the Philippines and now live in Berlin, Germany. Moving so far from home has been both a gift and a source of longing. I miss the beautiful islands and beaches, but most of all, the warmth of my kababayan and the enduring spirit of bayanihan. In this distance, I began searching for something to keep me connected, something I could hold onto and share with the world.
That search led me to Baybayin the ancient pre-colonial script of the Philippines. Very few Filipinos today can read it, as we were once forced to abandon it during colonization and through the waves of colonizations that followed. So I studied it, and in doing so, I discovered so much more than its graceful curves and bold strokes. I began to understand its soul, and the more I understood, the deeper I fell in love, as if each character was a heartbeat from my ancestors, echoing across time.
As a self-taught artist using acrylic and mixed media, I find my soul most alive in textured art, pieces that beg to be touched. When I discovered Baybayin, I brought that same tactile passion into my work, carving and shaping each character until it became more than an image, allowing the ancient script to breathe again in the present.
This love for heritage gave birth to Guardian of Memory, a movement devoted to preserving what our ancestors once carved in silence. Through my originals, limited-edition prints, and the monthly Mail Club, I invite others to carry memory forward with me, to hold a piece of our story and keep it alive in their own hands.
I’ve been given the opportunity to travel the world, and with that came a promise. Wherever I go, I will always raise the Philippine flag with honor and pride. Not only in its colors and symbols, but in the stories I share and, most of all, in the heritage I choose to keep alive, through Baybayin, reborn in contemporary form.
Early Works
Before moving to Berlin, I created my first textured paintings in the Philippines. Some of those early works found their way into the hands of collectors, not only across the Philippines but also in the UK, USA, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It’s humbling to know that what began as personal explorations now lives with people in different corners of the world.
The Reverse Series (2022)
In 2022, I created the Reverse Series, a body of work built from reverse-engineered clocks. The inspiration came from a question: If you were given the chance to relive a chapter of your life, would you take it?
For me, the answer has always been yes. My mother passed away in a car accident, and I never had the chance to say goodbye. If I were given that chance, I would hug her so tight one last time.
These works remind me that we can revisit the past without losing sight of tomorrow. Three pieces from this series are now housed in Art Circle Gallery, Philippines.
