JEF CABLOG
When I started with my art career, it was only natural for me to paint about the traditional culture of Cordillera, the mountainous region in Northern Philippines where my hometown, Barlig, Mountain Province is located. Nature is a dominant aspect of my paintings because it is where I draw most inspiration from. I spent most of my childhood in Barlig’s lush forests, playing, climbing its mossy trees or collecting wild berries with other village children. I have also enjoyed hours of swimming and fishing in its creeks, streams and rivers. These pleasant experiences and the bond I have developed with these elements of nature, have always given me happiness, contentment and peace of mind which I hope would be reflected to my audiences and would inspire them whenever they look at my paintings. The culture aspect of my work is part of my identity, which I hope would provide understanding and awareness of my culture, but I hope that even without an indepth knowledge of my culture, people can relate to my paintings with the understanding that all of us have to look to our ancestors past and be reminded of how they have coexisted well with nature.
Initially, I mainly used paintbrushes but back in 2009, I experimented on using palette knives only. Not only is it more convenient to change from one color to another but also easier to clean only by wiping off the paint in the knife and without using any solvents (safe from any side effects with long term use of solvents). Aside from achieving the texture and thickness I want, I also gained speed. I have not used paintbrushes since then.
In August 2015, I was invited in Ile de Groix, Brittany, France for an artist residency. My wife and I, stayed in the island for more than 2 months. It is in France where I first saw and acquired a palette knife with grooves/teeth. I discovered I can achieve various textures depending on how the grooves in the knives vary. When we left the island, we travelled for another 20 days to Geneva, Milan, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Paris. To be exposed to the European culture, having had the chance to marvel at European art from paintings and sculptures of famous masters to historic structures and buildings and to see for the first time the colors of autumn, provided great inspiration and growth in me as an artist. After I got back from that trip, I was transformed. In general, my travels to different countries (Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia etc.) in recent years and exposure to other cultures paved way for me to open up to a wider range of subjects, my style also evolved and color palette broadened.
Right after my residency in France, I went out of my comfort zone and experimented with mixed media re-using plastic waste combined with scrap metals, glass and found objects, the result of which was launched in my 4th solo exhibition in Manila, Philippines last 2017, entitled “Colors of Excess.”
I currently have a special interest in European sculptures, most especially relief sculptures that I have taken photos of during my travel, and these have become the main subjects in my recent paintings. I would consider this some form of account on my experience having seen these relics from our distant past and my current take in somehow preserving an impression of these relics. I also consider this a part of my evolution and the next phase of my art career. In addition, these relief sculptures, creates an impression as if you have traveled in the past, some of the structures even seem preserved and untouched by modernization. In Europe, I saw harmony between the old and the new, and the coexistence of man and man-made structures with nature which is parallel to what I want to portray in my art.
Born 1981 in Barlig, Mt. Province, Philippines
EDUCATION
1998-2000 Bachelor of Fine Arts University of the Philippines-Baguio
Distinctions
Finalist in the Richeson75 International Competition (Small Works) , 2013
Finalist in the Metrobank Arts & Design Excellence (MADE) Competition, 2010
Semifinalist in the Metrobank Arts & Design Excellence (MADE) Competition, 2000
Semifinalist in the Metrobank Arts & Design Excellence (MADE) Competition, 1999
ARTIST RESIDENCY
August-October 2015 Ile de Groix, Bretagne, France thru Festival International du Film Insulaire (FIFIG)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 RELIC | SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
2018 CONFLUENCE | Alliance Francaise de Manille, Bel-Air II, Makati City, Philippines
2017 COLORS OF EXCESS | SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
2015 RACINES (ROOTS) | Fort du Gripp, Ile de Groix, Bretagne, France
2015 COEXISTENCE | Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2012 BIRTHMARKED | Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 The Muse | Art Fair Philippines, The Link, Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines
2023 Balangay: Navigating Artistic Horizons | Luzon Art Fair, Diwa ng Tarlac & Bulwagang Kanlahi, Romulo Blvd., Tarlac City, Philippines
2023 Figured | Art Lounge Manila, The Podium, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2022 Continuum | Galerie Raphael, Lanang, Davao City, Philippines
2022 The Empty Chair Project Reprise | Art Lounge Maniala, The Podium, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2020 Brave New World Project | Art+ Magazine Online Exhibition and Coffee Table Book, Philippines
2019 A Distillation of Color | Art Lounge Manila, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2018 Contemporary Chronicles | Galerie Joaquin, Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines
2018 Vive l’ Art | S Maison, Main Atrium, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines
2018 Art in the Mall | Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2018 Art with a Big Heart (Fund Raising Auction) | Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
2017 Bazaar Art Jakarta | The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia
2017 Alab ng Puso | SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2017 Art Fair Tokyo | Tokyo International Form, Tokyo, Japan
2016 Art Kaohsiung | The Pier-Art 2 Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2016 Art Fair Tokyo | Tokyo International Form, Tokyo, Japan
2015 15th Festival International du Film Insulaire | Port Lay, Ile de Groix, Bretagne, France
2014 Affordable Art Fair Singapore | F1 Pit Building, No. 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore
2014 ManilArt | SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
2014 Art in Transit: Modern and Contemporary Art Festival, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City
2014 Affordable Art Fair HK | Hong Kong Convention& Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
2014 Art For All Manila: The Affordable Art Fair | 3rd Floor, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
2013 Art From the Heart | Galerie Joaquin, Addition Hills, San Juan, Philippines
2013 Affordable Art Fair Singapore | F1 Pit Building, No. 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore
2013 ManilArt | SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
2013 Coffee x Art Festival | Event Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2013 Salon International | Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, Texas, USA
2013 Affordable Art Fair HK | Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Centre, Hong Kong
2013 Richeson 75 International Competition Exhibit | Richeson School of Art & Gallery,Wisconsin,USA
2012 Galerie Joaquin Year 11 | Galerie Joaquin, The Podium Mall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2012 Art For a Cause | McKinley Hall, Manila Polo Club, Makati City, Philippines
2012 Oktoberfest | Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, Philippines
2012 Flores de Mayo | Galerie Francesca, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
2012 Galerie Joaquin Year 10 | Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2011 Contemporary Art Philippines Premiere Auction | Galerie Joaquin, San Juan, Philippines
2011 ArtExpo Malaysia | Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2011 ManilArt | NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines
2011 La Musique | Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2010 Saya : Grand Fiesta Manila | Resorts World, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines
2010 Art Expo Malaysia | Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010 Celebration 10.10.10 | Galerie Francesca, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2010 Northern Elements | Tala Gallery, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
2010 ManilArt | SMX Convention, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines
2010 CITEM | Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
2009 Compassion in Action | Galerie Francesca, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
2009 Chanum | Le Chef, The Manor, Camp John Hay, B.C. , Philippines
2009 In Frame | Tam-awan Village Gallery, Baguio City, Philippines
2009 Manila Art 2009 | NBC Tent, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
2009 Deconative | The French Corner, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
2009 Tradition & Innovation | ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines
2008 Translations | Tam-awan Village Gallery, Baguio City, Philippines
2008 Yevea | Albergo Hotel, Baguio City, Philippines
2008 Tam-awan Village Group Show | Oarhouse Cafe & Gallery, Malate, Manila, Philippines
2008 Igorots in Contemporary Clothes | Café by the Ruins, Baguio City, Philippines
2007 Images From the Cordillera | Renaissance Gallery, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
2006 Delphic Festival Group Show | Convention Center, Baguio City, Philippines
2006 Spirit of the Cordillera | Baguio Country Club, Baguio City, Philippines
2006 Colors in the Mist | Baguio Country Club, Baguio City, Philippines
2005 Cordillera Images | Gallerie Andrea, Intramuros Manila, Philippines
2005 Tam-awan Village Group Show | East West Gallery, Hawaii, USA
2005 The Spirit of Baguio, Philippines | RHO Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2005 Group Show | NHK Osaka Museum of History, Japan
2005 Arts in Bloom | Baguio Country Club, Baguio City, Philippines
2004 Tam-awan Village Group Show | Le Souffle, The Fort, Makati City, Philippines
2004 UP Fine Arts Group Show | Salud Bistro, Baguio City, Philippines
2003 Small Works Exhibit | Tam-awan Village Gallery, Baguio City, Philippines
2003 Tales of Enchantment from Barlig | UP Baguio Cordillera Studies Center, Baguio City, Philippines
2000 UPCB-Fine Arts Show | PCIB Twin Towers, Makati City, Philippines
1999 Ta-wid | Maryknoll, Sanctuary Gallery, Baguio City, Philippines
PUBLICATIONS
2020 ART+ Magazine Issue 70, “Artist’s Sojourn”, 2 page feature about “Relic”, 6th solo show
2018 ART+ Magazine Issue 55, “Art For the Environment”, 2 page feature about “Confluence”, 5th solo show
2017 ART+ Magazine Issue 52, “Colors of Excess”, 2 page feature about “Colors of Excess”, 4th solo show
2016 ART+ Magazine Issue 43, “Homecoming” Jef Cablog Returns from a Residency in France
2015 Philippine Daily Inquirer (August 3, 2015), “Cablog tackles tragedy of nature in ‘Coexistence’”
2012 Manila Bulletin (March 5), “The Narrative Art of Jef Cablog”
2012 Contemporary Art Philippines (ART+) Magazine Issue 20, “Echoes From The Highlands”
2010 BlueCanvas International Art Magazine Issue 6 (Oct), 8-page feature, “Jef Cablog”
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