Kapwa Kreations

Kapwa Bowls are made with sacred intention and prayer. The word “kapwa” means “shared identity”, “fellow being”, and, more loosely, “community”. The Filipino sun indicates the steadfast light of our people. The use of speckled brown clay represents the Filipino people, ethnically mixed due to trade routes and colonization. The technique of sgraffito (how the design is made) involves painting the piece with underglaze and then carving out the design. The underglaze represents the attempts of colonization to “paint over us” in order to control us. The act of carving demonstrates that despite this, we are still here and we are still our true selves. Infused with the music of resistance during throwing, these bowls represent the resistance, resilience, and insistence of the Filipino people’s spirit. May you be supported by this spirit and this energy through this Kapwa bowl.

Bowls are created organically. Meaning: the shape of the bowl emerges on the wheel during the throwing process. No two bowls are alike.

There are “drops” rather than a steady inventory of bowls. After enough bowls have been made for a drop (roughly every 2-3 months), a photo of the new bowls available for purchase will be posted here and on social media (IG & FB: @ leslieannhobayan).

Email: leslieann@hobayanhouse.com to inquire about purchasing a bowl.