THE MISSION PROJECTS presents new paintings by Filipino-Canadian artist Florence Solis. A self- taught artist and professional designer, Solis’s practice explores the complex intersections of womanhood, identity, and cultural heritage. Working through a process of digital collage translated into acrylic on canvas, she delves into the emotional and mental transformations that have shaped her, particularly her experiences as a mother and person of color.
In Filipino folklore, the sacred and the everyday are intertwined. Mythological beings, spirits, and ancestral traditions are not just stories — they are reflections of the lived experiences of Filipino women, who have long navigated cycles of sacrifice, devotion, and resilience. Florence Solis’s work draws from these narratives, using symbolism from folklore, nature, and traditional craft to explore the complexities of womanhood and identity. The tension between vulnerability and strength is central to her practice. Inspired by the makahiya plant — whose leaves fold inward at the slightest touch — she reflects on the instinct to shrink in response to external forces. What once seemed like timidity now reveals itself as an act of survival. “Filipino women, much like the makahiya, have been taught to yield, to soften, to take up less space,” Solis explains. “And yet, beneath this quietness lies an undeniable force — one that persists, adapts, and reclaims space in its own way.” Her use of veils, woven textures, and organic elements mirrors the delicate yet intricate process of piña weaving, a painstaking craft that transforms fragile pineapple fibers into something luminous and enduring. These woven forms represent the structures that shape women’s roles — both protective and restrictive. Threads bind, but they also connect; they limit, but they also tell stories. Within these layers, she depicts figures in moments of transformation, questioning whether these bindings serve as a sanctuary or a confinement.
Florence Solis (b. 1988) received her Bachelor of Design in Environmental Design from Ontario College of Art & Design University (Toronto, Canada) in 2012. Her paintings have recently been exhibited at Wallspace Gallery (Ottawa, Canada), Duran Mashaal Gallery (Montreal, Canada), Nucleus House (Portland, Oregon), and The Local Gallery (Toronto, Canada). She was included in Art Toronto in 2023 and 2024, and Art Miami in 2021. Her projects and installations have been showcased at Soho House (Toronto, Canada), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Toronto, Canada), and Four Seasons Hotel (Toronto, Canada). She lives and works in Hamilton, Canada.
