Donna Sharmaine

Donna Sharmaine Juval Gatdula is a multimedia disabled performance based artist exploring the nuances of her being a second generation queer Filipina and the impacts of it on her spiritual and physical identity. She is interested in preservation and exploration of pre-colonial practices and beliefs not just from the Philippines but globally.

Donna Sharmaine champions queerness, diversity, and inclusivity. Moving from London to Nottingham after graduating from Loughborough University she is currently part of Nottingham Contemporary's young people's collective 1525. The influence of club culture and freestyle dance has heavily impacted her understanding of human connection and way of living. She aims to build her creative career on social engagement, awareness, and celebration.

Selected Works

Performance, 2026

as part of Our Very Fabric

My performance is a physical result of the exploration of my spiritual identity as a second generation Filipina. The piece “ These Four Years ” marks the start of this journey. I believe my Anito (ancestors) speak to me directly through movement, sound and signs. Throughout my personal journey it has led me to understand that practices such as dance, sound, mask, fabric, and pattern creation are shared through many cultures and people.The creation of my costume began at the exploration of Batok ( indigenous Filipino tattooing. ) Each strip is hand made, painted, printed, and cut. A personal rhythmic ritual, the process of tatak (engraving). Activated by my spirit through my freestyled movement, my costumes and performances function as a site for spiritual exploration for both ancestral and contemporary connection.