Public installation contemporary artist Jefrë Manuel creates artworks that are larger than life. The Florida-based Fil-Am had already showcased his pieces in London, Abu Dhabi, and different parts of the United States — but, as they say, there is no place like home.
Manuel is enjoying the experience of connecting to his roots and journeying back to the Philippines through his creations.
In 2014, he created permanent scultptures composed of iconic Filipino animals rooster, tamaraw and eagle in glaring Filipino colors of red, yellow and blue at the SM Aura Skygarden. He is now creating an interactive display at the Net Park building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig called “Selfie,” where visitors can upload photos and watch their faces broadcast onto the sculpture’s nine-meter façade. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
“It was nice to take my education, experiences and technology, and have them shared to local Filipinos.” said the 40-year-old artist to Coconuts Manila. “It gives me more pride doing things closer to my homeland, closer to my family roots, and being reminded by my Filipino family that they are happy for what I’ve done around the world.”
Travel plays an essential part in Manuel’s work. Instead of a themed-approach to art, he focuses on the culture and context of each place he visits.
“I go to different cities, it’s really more about me understanding the place’s culture and context, and deriving inspiration from that,” he said. “The world is so diverse and all we got to do is learn from each other.”
Manuel earned a degree in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University, and he was a city planner for ten years. He was only able to really pursue his love for art after a heart attack and a triple bypass surgery at the age of 35. He quit his job to start pursuing what he really loves.
Traces of his past job, however, can be seen in his creation process. His ideas start with urban design, planning, and architecture.
“I was used to doing things called place-making, which is making unique scenarios or destinations for different cities and communities that needed a sense of identity,” he said. His dream is to create an iconic destination for Filipinos.
Manuel values his art as a form of expression, not only for celebrations, but for tragic things as well.
In the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida last year, Jefrë’s 60-foot digital display called The Beacon was used as a canvas for a moving tribute to the Pulse nightclub victims. He was honored to have created something that helped people mourn and express their feelings, he said.
When it comes to Filipino culture, Manuel wants to highlight and contemporize the Filipino history, the various Filipino festivals, and the different regions that have their own demographics and dialects.
Manuel was quick to emphasize that he doesn’t want to “oversaturate the same idea over and over again,” so he doesn’t want to do too much art in one geography.
However, he wants is to open the door to Filipino artists who want to make a mark in the international art scene, like he did.
“I didn’t realize that a lot of talent that exist here in the Philippines… Maybe I could help to foster that – bring them abroad and we could collaborate on projects elsewhere,” he said.
Manuel’s tip for success? Simple, just love what you do.
Manuel was named 2016 consultant of the year by the American Institute of Architects. His current projects include sculptures for SM Seaside City Cebu and a giant lantern for the coming Lantern Festival in San Fernando. He is also working on a project with Michelin-star chef Tom Sellers at A Restaurant Story in London.
You may view more of his works on his Instagram account.
