From blockprints to acrylics: Monica Baza pushes artistic boundaries

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By Ron Rocky Coloma

For artist and small business owner Monica Baza, art isn’t just about creativity; it’s about connection. From her early days as a founding member of the Chamorro Artists Association to running Baza Designs, she has sought ways to share Guam’s artistic traditions while making her work accessible to the community.

That philosophy carried through to her recent exhibition at the Guam Museum, where she and three fellow artists explored their deep ties to the island in a collection titled “Rooted.”

“The four of us artists came together on the theme ‘Rooted’ for the Guam Museum Art Exhibit, and each of us came up with personal information that we could share with the community,” Baza said. “Collectively, we have ties to Guåhan either by familial bloodlines or through our intimate connection to family and friends. I hope that the visitors experience a little bit of what our connection to Guåhan is. Our love of our island home.”

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The exhibit showcased nine of Baza’s pieces, many of which reflect CHamoru visual storytelling traditions. Her work highlights Guam’s trees, from the resilience of coconut palms after a typhoon to the loss of “Hayun Lagu,” the last fire tree at Litekyan.

For Baza, the exhibit also marked a significant turning point in her artistic journey. While she is well known for her block prints, she took the opportunity to incorporate hand-painted elements and revisit acrylic painting, pushing herself creatively in the process.

“I have two artworks that are block prints called ‘Sand Maker,’” Baza said. “One is different from the other by my hand painting of several colors onto one of the block prints.”

Her evolution in printmaking happened with her love of color,” she added. “My turning point for this exhibit is coming back to and showing acrylic paintings alongside my block prints.”

But the process was not without challenges. Like many artists, Baza found herself racing against time as deadlines approached. “Of course, the most rewarding part of the process is the final outcome when all the art is hung up and to experience all the reactions to the art on opening night,” she said.

Baza’s contributions to CHamoru art extend far beyond her own creative work. Influenced by mentors such as Filamore Palomo Alcon and Adriano Baza Pangelinan, she has long been part of the movement to preserve and promote CHamoru artistic traditions.

“I have many artists who have influenced me, including the artists I am showing with in this museum art exhibit,” Baza said. “Adriano B. Pangelinan’s artwork has this colorful loose watercolor style that I have admired since I was an art student of his at the University of Guam.

“Filamore Palomo Alcon has been a mentor in teaching art (school and workshops we did together) and for the way he expressed his abstract art, which mainly consists of primary colors, black and white,” she added.

As a founding member of the Chamorro Artists Association, Baza has also witnessed firsthand the evolution of Guam’s art scene over the decades.

“The Chamorro Artists Association brought local artists together and to the forefront, exhibiting their art creations island-wide at a variety of venues, including the CAHA Gallery, many hotels such as the Guam Hilton Hotel and various fairs and feature shows,” she said. “I believe that the Chamorro Artists Association was a positive model example for Guam’s art scene.”

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