“Oh shit, there are pine trees here too!” is inspired by mixed-race identity and self-reflection. This piece was created for my solo exhibition Halo-Halo: The Mixed Children. Halo-Halo is a cold Filipino dessert that translates to mix-mix and is a cute way to refer to mixed-blood Filipinos. This show is based on thoughts and phrases that have stuck with me while reflecting on my cultural identity.

April Werle

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April Werle is a narrative painter based in Missoula, Montana, whose work explores mixed-race identity, family, and belonging. Her recent solo exhibitions include Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple, Bell Projects, Denver, CO; Halo-Halo: The Mixed Children, ZACC, Missoula, MT; and Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits), Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. Werle is the recipient of the Emerging Artist Residency at Centrum Foundation (2024). She was honored with the Creative West BIPOC Artist Fund Award (2024), the Montana Arts Council Strategic Investment Grant (2023), and the Montana Arts Council ARPA Grant (2022). Werle’s work has been published in Create Magazine!, New Visionary Magazine, and Mahalaya.