“As an artist, I’m inspired by the human spirit, its struggles, and its capacity for resilience. I strive to create art that resonates, provokes, and invites viewers to engage with their own emotions and experiences.”

Mary Ann Manuel is a Filipina-born artist exploring themes of beauty in raw and intense emotion, self-discovery, authenticity, and the power of art to speak to the deepest part of our being. Colors, shapes, and textures become the language through which she expresses the depth of the soul, the turmoil of the mind, and the essence of being. She draws inspiration from personal experience, social issues, and the universal aspects of the human condition. Mary Ann moved to Singapore in 2016 for two years, then to Canada in 2018 after exploring the different cultures of Singapore. In 2021, she became a Canadian immigrant and is now perfecting her skills, working towards becoming a professional artist. She is also a freelance graphic designer. She designed the comic book titled “The Man Behind the Shell”, 1st edition, launched in 2023 by the legendary master Datu Shishir Inocalla, founder of Filipino martial arts. She has also done design work for various companies, creating brochures, posters, logos, and more. Additionally, she is a multi-award winner of many competitions in the United States. She won First Prize in the Milan Art Institute Competition (Feb 2021) among entries from different parts of the world with her themed painting “Pursuit of Happiness”. In the same year, she won again and received more awards. She has participated in different shows across Canada, such as Art Expo, Surrey Art Gallery, Lehangart Gallery, and other art fairs. She has had solo exhibitions in Canada and internationally, such as in Venice, Italy. Her works and story have been mentioned in publications like Artist Close Up Contemporary Magazine, the Kampala to Canada Book, and more. She is also a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and Milan Art Club in the United States. Her art is collected around the globe.