Mar Cortez is a Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist whose work explores Filipino folklore and pre-colonial history through a contemporary lens. What began as something light and personal gradually took on more weight, as opportunities grew and so did the quiet pressure of being seen.

After years working in healthcare, the pandemic became a turning point — pushing her to reconsider what she wanted her life and work to hold. Through community-led workshops, daily practice, and moments of doubt, she began building something of her own, without a clear roadmap.

This is a story about navigating imposter syndrome, reconnecting with identity, and finding direction through consistency, culture, and community.

A Studio Propel Original