Over the years, an artist’s art style will evolve as their experience grows and their technique is honed. For JJ Duque, the success of his debut exhibition “Patience: An Adventure of Pens & Pencils,” in 2016 was due to the numerous hours of laser-focused dedication apparent in each of the pieces that were on display.
This made him popular among collectors who were eager to commission pieces made in the same process as his works in his first exhibition. “It was encouraging to see my works lauded with collectors excited to commission for themselves. And for the past decade, I had been engaged in a creative cycle to produce these reputable abstract drawings. Of course, as a professional, I welcomed the opportunities and poured heart and soul into every artwork,” Duque shared.
However, there was a yearning for creative freedom that continued to itch and Duque wanted to go back to the roots of why he started dabbling in the visual arts — creativity that is unrestrained and untamed. “At a point of introspection, I realized that I wanted my work to evolve beyond the doodles and drawings, of coloring within the lines. I wanted to go back to that creativity that flows freely without being held back by self-doubt and insecurity, to just play again with whatever medium and experience an inner happiness,” he said.
The result was R(Evolution), an exhibit that emphasized light, shadow, and texture, departing from previous structured techniques. These pieces create immersive worlds on canvas, demonstrating a shift towards spontaneity while maintaining intentional execution.
(R)Evolution embodies the introspection to break free from the constraints of self-doubt and embrace the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. Duque’s works exude unbridled creativity, inviting viewers into a world where imagination takes precedence.
“My works for (R)Evolution evoke the inspiration of a free soul that offers an imagination into things that are unknown and yet familiar. It carries on the universal concept of wholeness and simplicity with the inclusion of the circle that has given identity to my art. The art itself captures a moment of space and time that has been carved through seasons of experience much like I’ve been shaped by my life’s own adventures,” Duque said.
Revolution is currently on view at the Altro Mondo Creative Space in Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City until May 25.
