Chicken Army by Rodel Tapaya

Artist: Rodel Tapaya
Medium: resin, epoxy and acrylic
Size: Height : 5in x 3in x 11in 
Year: 2025
Edition: 1/1      

A myth that was said to hatch from Bulacan, "The Origin of Birds" serves as the inspiration for Rodel Tapaya's Chicken Army sculptures. This tale brings us back to a time long past, when birds still ceased to exist on Earth. There were instead three kings: Rajah Manuk, Rajah Uwak, and Rajah Lawin who fought amongst each other with the goal of expanding their respective dominions. With their blatant display of greed and brutality, the infuriated gods punished them by transforming them and their tribes into birds—a lasting reminder of their cruel acts to their progeny. Having been the greediest, Rajah Manuk and his tribe were particularly turned into terrestrial birds so that they may always remain grounded.