Pacita Barsana Abad (1946 – 2004) was a powerful Filipino-American artist known for her bold, colorful style and global vision. Born in Basco, Batanes, in the Philippines into a politically active family, she studied political science at the University of the Philippines and led student protests against the Marcos regime. After her family home was attacked, she traveled to the U.S. in 1970 to study law, but soon turned to art instead, eventually studying at the Corcoran School of Art and the Art Students League of New York.

Abad became famous for her “trapunto” paintings—vibrant, quilted canvases stitched and stuffed and embellished with mirrors, beads, shells, and buttons to create a three-dimensional, richly textured effect. Over a 30-year career, she created more than 4,500 works and exhibited at over 200 venues in 70 countries. Her public art includes the painted 55‑meter Alkaff Bridge in Singapore, covered with thousands of colorful circles shortly before her death. Pacita Abad passed away from lung cancer in Singapore in 2004, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists worldwide.