From Jaro, Iloilo City to the international art scene, visual artist Jacob Tayo Divinagracia is making his mark through works centered on identity, transformation, resilience, and healing.
An Ilonggo artist has earned international recognition after winning first place at the Global Art League 2026, held at the Montreal Art Centre and Museum in Canada.
Jacob Tayo Divinagracia, a native of Jaro, Iloilo City who is now based in Saskatchewan, Canada, emerged on top among hundreds of participating international artists with his painting titled “Becoming.”
Following the recognition, Divinagracia has also been invited to mount his own solo exhibition at the Montreal Art Centre and Museum on June 26, 2027, marking another milestone in his growing artistic journey abroad.
From architecture to expressive art
Divinagracia is a visual artist, author, and mental health advocate whose background extends beyond the arts. He holds degrees in Architecture and Management and has more than a decade of experience in the construction industry.
His artistic practice brings together his experience in design with a deeply personal approach to storytelling. For Divinagracia, creating art is less about seeking approval and more about communicating experiences and emotions that can sometimes be difficult to put into words.
This philosophy is encapsulated in a phrase that guides his work: “To Express, Not to Impress.”
Through his paintings, he explores themes of identity, resilience, transformation, struggle, and the human experience.
Divinagracia also uses art in his advocacy for mental well-being. He conducts free expressive art workshops that encourage participants to use creativity for self-discovery and emotional expression.
He is currently working on his first book, To Express, Not to Impress: Art in the Battle, an interdisciplinary project combining visual art, poetry, artist testimonies, and mental health advocacy.
The story behind ‘Becoming’
His award-winning painting, “Becoming,” was originally envisioned as the visual centerpiece of his upcoming book.
Dominated by fiery shades of orange, red, and gold, the work depicts bamboo forming the shape of a heart, surrounded by butterflies and light—a visual representation of the tension between remaining within what is familiar and choosing transformation.
According to the artist’s explanation, the bamboo heart represents the beliefs, experiences, culture, comforts, and struggles that shape a person’s identity.
The butterflies, meanwhile, symbolize those who choose to venture into the uncertainty that comes with growth. Each carries its own light, reflecting the idea that guidance can come from within.
At the center is fire, representing the danger of stagnation and the potential that can be lost when fear keeps a person confined to what is familiar.
Together, these elements convey the central message behind Becoming: to move into the unknown, one must learn to become one’s own light.
Carrying Ilonggo roots onto the global stage
While Divinagracia has built his professional and artistic life in Canada, his roots remain firmly connected to Jaro and Iloilo.
His Global Art League recognition adds another chapter to the stories of Ilonggos bringing their creativity and perspectives to audiences beyond the Philippines.
And for Divinagracia, the international recognition also reflects the philosophy behind the very artwork that earned it—not creating simply to impress an audience, but using art to express something authentic.
From Jaro to Montreal, Becoming has taken that expression onto an international stage.
