Novilee Magpali (b. 2001) is a Filipino multimedia artist and storyteller based in Richmond, VA. In 2023, they graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Craft/Material Studies. Magpali creates playful art objects, sculptures, and installations that embrace familiarity. Informed by their cultural heritage, Magpali’s practice explores their own personal relationships and memories, revealing the influence these aspects have in forming one’s identity.

“I am a mosaic of everyone I've ever met. The people in my life are central to my work, and I often draw inspiration from memories of my childhood, my Filipino heritage and relationships to those around me. Creating work that embodies these influences is a way for me to honor the connections to my past and those who have made me who I am. 

Through ceramic processes, I explore these ideas in both sculptural and semi-functional art objects. Ceramic work is labor intensive and I view that labor as an act of love and care - it’s a reflection of the love and care that has been shown to me by others in my life, and making this work it is an outward expression of the gratitude, longing, and connection I feel. 

My ceramic vessels, sculptures, and art objects embody these themes—they are colorful and eccentric yet genuine and earnest, functioning purposefully with heartfelt sentiment. My work is both inspired by people in my life, and made with those others in mind—I consider use, functionality and the way that the work will interact with a body, or make a viewer/user feel. The way the work makes another person feel is very important to me and it is always my intention that the work brings joy to others, as others have brought such joy to me."