Esther Carodan is a figurative artist from Manila, Philippines, now based in London. Her practice draws from Filipino culture, nostalgia, history, and identity, weaving different periods of time into layered visual forms. Growing up in Manila, she developed an early passion for painting and became inspired by the prestigious “National Artist” recognition in the Philippines. Aware of the absence of ambitious female painters on that list, she set her sights on becoming the first woman to receive the title in painting while representing Filipino culture on the global stage. She aims to trailblaze a new era for Filipino art, bridging Western contemporary practice with the rich heritage of Southeast Asian cultural narratives.