Imprint
KATRINA CHUA
22 NOVEMBER - 12 DECEMBER 2025
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Get to Know Kat Chua: A Portrait Artist Capturing Dogs in a New Light
Chua opens her inaugural solo exhibit with dog portraits that portray each pet’s depth and personality.
TRex the Yorkie mix looks like it’s waiting for something. Quiet and pensive, its eyes are trained singularly on you. Scout has its ears perked up at full attention, waiting for a treat or a command. And Milo looks off to the side, with a hint of concern behind its eyes. Meanwhile, Tiger the Asong Gubat looks pleased, with its ears down and eyes almost closed in contentment. You can almost imagine its tail wagging just beyond the frame.
Only a year into her art career, Chua is excited to have the chance to hold her first solo exhibit, IMPRINT. It’s proof to her that her art and her message have reached the right audience. From November 22 until December 12, she’ll be displaying some of her recently commissioned works to the public at Archivo 1984 in Karrivin Plaza, Makati City.
And while her eye and talent have shone through this early, she’s eager to see how she can still grow. “I think after this show, I'll be focusing more on just studying more subjects. Exploring new themes, trying to find my own style, so my art evolves. Because I've only been doing this for a year, I haven't really tried other subjects yet. Since I started with pet portraiture, I'll probably adapt what I've learned this year to my art next year.”
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Case in point, she just finished the last piece that will be part of her show—one that is unlike her past commissions. At the center of her exhibit is Basking, which Chua says is a preview of the next chapter of her artistic career.
According to her, moving forward, she wants to explore the use of dramatic light and shadow to create "calm intimate moments that invite the viewer to pause and look closer." Clearly, there's more to Chua than pet portraiture, making her an exciting artist to follow. “That's what I want to show people—that I can also do this kind of work. I don't just do commissions, I can do my own original work that will be all nice for display in your home,” she says. And with that, we can't wait to see what this young artist has under her sleeves in the years to come.