Asia Ruggiero

Aida De Guia

Two works from De Guia are featured as part of the exhibition Sunlight in a Deep Forest, on view at Mark Christopher Gallery March 27 to April 17 2026. Curated by Asia Ruggiero. Documentation by Philip Leonard Ocampo.

“Aida De Guia, Yellow Card, 2026. Cardstock, recycled materials, glue. 5 x 7 in. Aida De Guia, Red Card, 2026. Cardstock, recycled materials, glue. 5 x 7 in.  These two cards were made by the curator’s Lola—lola being the Filipino word for grandmother—during the final stretch of her life. They carry the force of a love that remained active even as her body began to fail. In the midst of pain, she continued to make, giving form to a care so instinctive it felt inseparable from who she was. It was her lifelong practice to craft handmade cards from recycled materials, giving new life to what might otherwise be thrown away. This practice reflects a resourcefulness shaped by immigration and thrift, but also her deep belief in transformation and her unconditional love for all things; she never let anyone or anything waste away. She remembered birthdays, names, and small details with remarkable devotion, often making and writing cards for people after only a brief encounter. Friends, family, and acquaintances, both near and far, knew her through this sustained and generous gesture. ”