Matt Manalo was born in 1984 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. He always enjoyed doing art as a child. His mother applied for a teaching job while on a vacation to the States, and when she was hired, the family suddenly moved to the States in 2004, while he was still in college studying computer engineering. Shortly after immigrating, he realized that he wanted to fully pursue art instead. His art draws on memories and gifts from friends and explores his Filipino identity, racism, and decolonization. He and his wife met in art school, and they have a son and a daughter.
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