Interview
Why do you take and create images?
Isn’t it a wonder how a moment in time is held still and even more wondrous how you can meddle with it?
How do you define your photographic/artistic body of work? What subjects do you often explore in your work?
I work with what’s familiar and fascinating for me and that’s ‘woman’.
The feminine form, my own being and womanhood, the stories and lives of women from all over and throughout history and the divine feminine
What motivates your work?
Honesty and the relevance of understanding the feminine.
What relationship does your work have with reality?
I’d like to assume that my own musings aren’t that alien and could be relatable to some.
For you, what is the purpose of art?
To leave a sense of wonder and sometimes, to define what is somewhat intangible.
To evoke…
A sort of subtle activism.
How do you want the public to respond to your work? Do you have a particular audience in mind?
It reaffirmed why I do what I do when I was told that my works have been inspiring.
And as my art evolves and progresses, moments like that keeps the drive going to reach more people and not just women.
What is your training? Were you trained as a photographer?
I only had a Photography class back college and that was it. I just love experimenting with the camera and all sorts of media.
How do you define your actual professional situation? What are your expectations?
I’m not a full-time artist but I have Graphic Design to pay the bills and sustain my artistic ambitions. I hope to make a huge dent as a woman, as an artist and as myself but If ever I’m not given the chance for that elevation, I’ll still be happy that I am able to do what I do.
It’s hard to live off art. Does this affect you and your work?
It takes a big chunk off my time and resources but I work so that I could afford the possibilities.
In your opinion, what is the current state of contemporary photography in the Philippines?
I have been told to consider pursuing painting more than photography.
Prints, Paper works and Photography don’t sell as much as paintings, they say.
That says a lot about our art landscape.
How do you want contemporary photography to develop in the Philippines?
We can’t move forward without a vehicle.
We need more outlets and venues for contemporary photography and involve more artists especially those coming from Visayas and Mindanao.
CV
Name: Jan Sunday Quilaquil
Lives in Cebu City, Philippines
Email: jansunday.biz@gmail.com
Instagram: @thejansunday
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts – Major in Advertising Arts, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines
Awards and Recognition:
2015 Behance Portfolio Review – Best in Photography
Exhibitions:
Self Produced Group Show:
2017, Umbra 3.0, A SPACE, Cebu City
2017 Umbra 2.0, Vetro Gallery, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
2016 Umbra, 856 G Gallery, Cebu City, Philippines
Group Show by Invite:
2017, On Loop, House of Frida, Bacolod
2017, Asylum38, Block17 Art Space, Bacolod
2017, Carnal, Mono8 Gallery, Manila
2015 HER/A, 856 G Gallery, Cebu City, Philippines
2013 Venus, Alps Cafe, Cebu City, Philippines
2013 The Little Secrets, Qube Gallery, Cebu City, Philippines