Lucille Montelongo
My body of work explores my Palauan identity, heritage and knowledges such as cultural symbols, traditions and craftsmanship for myself and my family living in the diaspora.
Artist Work
Yes I am. / I am mixed.
(2026)
Two works that each respond to commentary I have received as a white-passing multi-racial individual. The imagery of my younger self is reflected in form and color to represent the confusion in claiming identities that you are born with when you are perceived and told you are something else.
Malk
(2023)
Malk is the Palauan word for rooster. Malk is a piece in a series of Palauan cultural symbols represented on our Bai (High Chief Meeting Houses). The rooster is a symbol of announcement of decisions made from the High Chief. The symbol is also commonly seen with our currency symbol stemming from it, representing prosperity.
Origin of a Mother’s Touch
(2025)
Inspired by the craftsmanship of Palauan storyboards, Origin of a Mother’s Touch is a piece that details both the Melekeok Clan Bai (center) and our traditional birth ceremonies. This ceremony celebrates the mother after the birth of their first child as they step into motherhood. The Bai is specific to my family’s clan out of the state of Melekeok in Palau.
