Stephanie Garma Balon

THE TRACY PIPER

Stephanie Garma Balon, 2025
Acrylic on Canvas
10 x 10 x 1.5 in

Signed on Back

Model: Stephanie Garma Balon

This work is part of The Tracy Piper's "SEEN Volume 4," the fourth iteration of a collaborative art project of 50 eye paintings that were made during the Spring of 2025. For this series, the artist organized an open call for her collectors, fans, and fellow artists to be featured as one of her models. Each participant answered the same question: What does it mean to feel seen? Each painting and response is featured in the artist’s fifth book aptly titled “SEEN Volume 4."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL SEEN?

"Growing up as a 2nd generation Pinay in the US, as the youngest of three, and daughter of Filipino immigrant parents, invisibility has been a deep seeded shadow rooted in familial dynamics, cultural erasure due to colonization, societal gender expectations, birth order, etc. — the list goes on. There are oppressive social structures that have silenced not only my voice and overshadowed my sheer existence, but have impacted countless fellow Pinays (Filipinas) with long ancestral lines of compounded trauma with multilayered cross sections of identities—Intersectionalities of folx who have been strategically and structurally undervalued. There are multiple truths that live under one roof though. Not being seen at some points served a noble and necessary purpose. Being unseen or invisible also meant safety and protection for my ancestors- living and past. Living in spaces where targeted violence against the oppressed was/is prevalent, invisibility was/is a way to protect oneself and their loved ones. So what “feeling seen” means to me is being fully embraced for the totality of me — all parts, light and shadow and everything in between. Feeling seen is healing not only my wounding from all these shadow sources within but it also means potentially healing the communities of not just Pinays but our dear siblings in our global community who have historically been suffering from being invisible or “othered”; furthermore, healing ancestors- seen and unseen; generations back and forward. Being seen is a line to liberation, individually and collectively. Being seen means connection to Self and another. Being seen says to me that I am enough- that my voice and story matter. Being seen means I am loved. Being seen means I am valued in my wholeness-in my mere existence. And my existence IS my resistance. "—Stephanie Garma Balon

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Learn more about The Tracy Piper and her vibrant figurative paintings.

HANGING & CARE

Artwork is ready to hang on the wall; hanging wire is secured on the back (nail and hook needed). Dust raw canvas with a clean, soft brush and HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean. Using a new, clean brush prevents transfer of grime from previous dustings.

PURCHASE INFO

Gallery pick up, local delivery & international shipping available! Questions? Contact us