Chloe Caday’s, Waters of the Diwata, is part of her latest series, Diwata’s Song. Tracing back to pre-colonial Philippines, Chloe Caday retells stories of her motherland through Diwata’s Song, honouring her culture that is deeply rooted in folklore and mythology. Within this exhibition, Caday focuses particularly on the diwatas—spiritual beings that guard and nurture forests, caves, land or bodies of water. As a result, the paintings are a culmination of stories about these goddesses of the moon, stars, waters and sunrise, stories of forbidden loves, midnight mystique and the peculiar allure of flowers in bloom.

In Filipino folklore, a Diwata is most popularly known in modern times as a nature spirit that guards forests, caves, land or bodies of water. Diwatas are said to reside in large trees, often in acacia and balete trees. They are the guardian spirits of nature, bringing blessings or curses upon those who bring benefits or harm to the forests and mountains.