JEF CABLOG
Jef Cablog (b. 1981, Barlig, Mt. Province, Philippines) is a Cordillera artist currently based in Baguio City, Philippines primarily known for painting images of his heritage. With the palette knife as his primary tool, his practice involves layering oil to form textured compositions of the mythologies and mountainous environment of the Cordillera region. Unique in its authenticity, it is unsurprising that Cablog has achieved a noted measure of success. He regularly exhibits his works in both local and international art fairs, and has completed a residency in Brittany, France in 2015.
His success, however, has been tempered by a more acute understanding of the complexities of his Cordilleras environment. Cablog is not only a passionate advocate of the heritage and culture of indigenous people of the Cordilleras, but he is a stalwart environmentalist. An avid hiker and cyclist, he is sensitive to the environmental impact of rapid development.
Cablog considers the preservation of both heritage and environment as parallel concerns. A survey of the direction of his practice reveals imagery that linked the indigenous cultures of the Cordilleras to a pristine and picturesque landscape unimpeded by the influx of population and construction that development brings.
Cablog addresses these concerns in a more direct manner in his exhibit at ManilArt 2017. Eschewing the layered paintings he is known for-indeed, abandoning painting altogether – Cablog has created installations out of found objects: notably, the trashed bottle caps he finds while cycling around Baguio. “Colors of Excess,” as the exhibition is called, is about the power of transformation and hope. By re-working found objects, Jef Cablog is able to repurpose what was once trash into a warning. In doing so, Cablog also transforms his practice by expanding his medium outside his comfort zone.
Cablog was twice semi-finalist of the Metrobank Art Competion, has been profiled by the US-based Quarterly Art Magazine Bluecanvas and one of the 40 chosen artists from all over the world (in fact, the only one from the Philippines) included in the book, 40 CONTEMPORARY MASTERS OF PORTRAIT PAINTING -The definitive 2019 book, published by Diverti Editions, the publisher of Pratique des Arts Magazine based in France. He is also one of the three artists whose works are on the book cover.
"The rice terraces of Northern Philippines are known for the meticulous and painstaking process it took to build them. When I paint, I adopt the same virtue of patience in my work. I can only hope the impact of the rice terraces as a grand cultural monument would be the same impact I will make in art through my paintings."
40 CONTEMPORARY MASTERS OF PORTRAIT PAINTING
The definitive 2019 book. WRITTEN IN FRENCH AND ENGLISH.
Jef Cablog is one of the 40 chosen artists from all over the world (in fact, the only one from the Philippines) included in the book, 40 CONTEMPORARY MASTERS OF PORTRAIT PAINTING -The definitive 2019 book, published by Diverti Editions, the publisher of Pratique des Arts Magazine based in France. He is also one of the three artists whose works are on the book cover.
L'ECOLOGISTE ISSUE N°59
(Feb-April 2022)
JEF CABLOG FEATURED IN THE CONTEMPORARY ART SECTION (2 pages)
L’ECOLOGISTE is the French Edition of THE ECOLOGIST which was established in England in 1970 and in France since 2000.
On the current February to April 2022 (Issue n°59), Jef Cablog has a two-page feature in the Contemporary Art Section of this 66 color pages, independent and indispensable, Quarterly Magazine.
Each issue of L’Ecologiste is centered on a dossier. This issue is focused on wind turbines.
There are also forums on current topics, special articles on various subjects, an important section presenting recently published books, sections on edible wild plants, a contemporary artist feature (Jef Cablog), a portrait and poetry.
POSTAGE: free for magazines (all countries), 1 euro for all orders of books (metropolitan France and Belgium) 2 euros (Switzerland and European Union), postal scale for other destinations. Secure online payment.
PRATIQUE DES ARTS ISSUE 108
(JEF CABLOG ON THE cover + 6 page feature). Written in French only.
• Portfolio : the works of Jef Cablog. In a kaleidoscope of colors and a remarkable work on light, this young Filipino painter documents the culture of his country.
PRATIQUE DES ARTS ISSUE 126
(4-page article about Jef Cablog's artist residency in Ile de Groix, Brittany, France last August-October 2015). Written in French only.
Oil with a knife: Jef Cablog . The Filipino painter gives us his vision of Brittany, which he discovers for the first time, through strong works, all in relief.
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