Christian Bañez

i fucking hate it here

Oil on canvas

"Born in the Philippines and raised in rural Missouri, I had limited memories of my ancestral homeland and its culture. My small hometown was white and homogeneous; I found myself continually at odds with it. My other spheres of identity as a closeted gay man and being formerly undocumented further socially isolated me. I felt like I was continually trying to assimilate to survive and constantly in fear of being outed for my sexuality and citizenship status. Now, with time and being granted permanent residency, I share my experience to find others who feel this way."

— Christian Bañez

About the artist

Christian Bañez

Christian was born in Cebu City, Philippines. In 2001, his family moved to the United States in rural Missouri surrounding long stretches of highway and acres of farming land. In the Fall of 2014, he enrolled at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science with the aspiration to go to medical school.

In his final semester, his passion for painting and art was rekindled and he decided to pursue a career in art. Christian is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art-Painting with a minor in Art History at Missouri Western State University.

Christian’s art explores modern conflicts in identity, self-vulnerability, and relishing the mundane moments of life.