“Courage”

Sculptor and immigration lawyer Elaine Antonio Bordeaux recently shared her story at the Ms. Filipino-American Pageant 2022, on September 10, as she showcased her bronze sculptures to the beautiful people of the community. The sculptures presented were part of a body of work of bronze sculptures which she started during the Covid pandemic in Colorado.

The veteran immigration lawyer presented ‘The Faces of Courage’ at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs as part of the Filipino-American Community celebration and fund-raising activity for the Fil-Am scholars. Her five picturesque and symbolic sculptures, namely ‘Jesus’, ‘Lapu Lapu’, ‘Mother Teresa’, ‘PacMan’ and ‘Whang Od–Ang Huling Mambabatok’, incarnate different stories of courage and hope. “They are all courageous people and they are all inspirational to me, ” said the visual artist.

The sculptor began her work with ‘Jesus’ in the beginning of 2021–during the height of the Covid-19 situation. It is a part of her project ‘The Faces of Courage’ which is a collection of bronze sculptures portraying courageous individuals who struggled, fought, and suffered to give hope, freedom, equality, and love to the world.

“My artwork, ‘Whang Od–Ang Huling Mambabatok’ is my favorite,” said Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux. “Whang Od does hand tapping tattoos which were conventionally done by male artists. She courageously broke traditions to pursue her love for this art and has become the exception because of her talent. Today she even has apprentices, all women, and is breaking the stereotype once again.”

Elaine Antonio Bordeaux centers her work on these icons and the difficulties they faced in their lives. She also gains inspiration from her own experience as an immigrant in the United States, her Filipino heritage, and her dreams and plans for the community she serves. 

The active volunteer attorney was born and raised in the Philippines. She passed the Philippine bar exam in 2000. She then moved to the US and graduated from Loyola Law School, New Orleans with a Master’s Degree in American Laws. She obtained the highest academic recognition and practiced law in New York in the year 2008.

The member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Colorado and Global Chapter is also an art enthusiast. She earned her training from various institutions such as The Art Students League of New York and the Houston Baptist University (HBU) in the United States. She is currently attending the Barcelona Academy of Arts in Sculpture.

As an immigration law practitioner, she supports and advocates for the victims of forced migrations. The nature of her work taught her that courage is not something that one asks or prays for. It is gifted by God and naturally lives in one’s heart. 

The human rights lawyer incorporates her knowledge and experiences into her art to create an image of hope, freedom, valor and joy, especially during these times. “Because of the pandemic, there is so much fear and uncertainty in this world. I learned that courage helps us go on with our lives despite an illness, a death in the family, or a disability.”

She uses art to speak of the story, the struggles and the triumph of the courageous ones. Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux believes that courage is what one uses to survive each day, to pursue dreams and passions, and to be a better human being.

For more information on Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux’s work, speaking engagements and commission, please call 713-315-7793 or email eabordeauxart@gmail.com.