Between Worlds: How artist Julius Manapul Made Art Their Home

Julius Manapul transforms the pain of displacement into powerful art that challenges colonial structures and celebrates queer identity. As a Filipinx immigrant who arrived in Canada in the 90s, Manapul found themselves caught between languages and cultures—a displacement that led them to embrace visual communication as a universal language transcending verbal barriers.Manapul's multimedia practice spans sculpture, installation, performance, and experimental film, but perhaps most striking is their transformation of pornographic imagery into intricate butterfly patterns. These works initially attract viewers with their beauty before challenging them with the revelation of their source material. "It's fascinating how the work never changed," Manapul observes. "It's people's perspective that changed." This moment of realisation become a thread Manapul continually explores in their art and teaching practice as an Assistant Professor at OCAD University. Their most recent exhibition "Sila/Siya/Ako" (they, them, me in Tagalog) examines the connections between religion, colonisation in the Philippines and the racism experienced within queer spaces. Manapul juxtaposes Catholic symbolism with gay club music, highlighting how both institutions—ostensibly places of belonging—often alienate those who don't conform to dominant ideals. The exhibition's mannequins, adorned with replicas of King Philip's armour crafted from gay porn images and whitewashing products, confront viewers with the ongoing effects of colonisation in contemporary Filipino culture.Manapul shares career triumphs and how they overcame barriers coming up in Toronto's art scene. When traditional gallery spaces initially rejected Manapul’s work, they strategically self-funded exhibitions and submitted to international calls—finding recognition in Europe before gaining traction in Canada. This resourcefulness reflects their powerful advice to emerging artists: "If there's no space for you at the table, make that space." Now an Assistant Professor at OCAD University, Manapul creates the representation they lacked growing up, proving that persistence and connection are essential tools for artistic success.Want to explore more transformative art that challenges cultural boundaries? Subscribe to our podcast and join the conversation about how art creates belonging for those who exist between worlds. Connect with the Artalogue: Madison Beale, HostBe a guest on The Artalogue Podcast

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