INTERVIEW
Why do you take and create images?
It’s my drive, and I like to express my ideas and feelings in pictures.
How do you define your photographic/artistic body of work? What subjects do you often explore in your work?
I honestly do photographs that come from my personal experiences. The rest of my photographs are snapshots.
What motivates your work?
Loyalty to Aesthetics
What relationship does your work have with reality?
Distorted, because my works are interpretations of my experiences
For you, what is the purpose of art?
To make people appreciate culture, education and life
How do you want the public to respond to your work? Do you have a particular audience in mind?
I want them to respond in both positive and negative ways, but in an educated and intellectual manner. I want my audiences to be the ones that don’t know or appreciate art at all, because once I make them appreciate my works or the works of others, it will be an accomplishment for me.
I also respect the opinions of artists and art people when presenting my work.
What is your training? Were you trained as a photographer?
I studied Photography in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and did various workshops in Documentary Photography. I apprenticed at Sir Jay Javier’s Fotofabrik Studio doing studio photo shoots and darkroom stuffs.
How do you define your actual professional situation? What are your expectations?
I’m in a struggling stage in my life in both profession and art; I don’t earn that big. I expect that I finish all my projects in due time despite the financial struggle.
It’s hard to live off art. Does this affect you and your work?
Yes! But I need to continue because I want to finish something before I die.
Have you worked with gallerists, curators, institutions and other art professionals? Can you discuss more about this particular relationship?
Yes, when I was in college, we had a photo exhibit in a known museum, but that didn’t turn out great. The curators here doesn’t have appreciation for the art of photography. There are only few people who can curate photography here.
In your opinion, what is the current state of contemporary photography in the Philippines?
The Worst! We are stuck at the camera club aesthetic stage. We didn’t evolve as photographers through decades. If you look at photographs from the 70’s & 80’s until now, the photographs are the same: Manila Bay sunsets, street portraits of poor people, cliché beauty shots etc…
How do you want contemporary photography to develop in the Philippines?
I want it to be like how it is in other countries where photography evolves every generation. It becomes progressive because of culture and appreciation. We need to have collaboration and movement to improve the art scene of our country. Lastly trash the politics in art groups in galleries.
CV
Name: Jesed Francis Moreno
Location: North Fairview, Fotofabrik Tomas Morato Q.C. Philippines
Email: celluloidscumbag@gmail.com
Website: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/celluloid-scumbag
https://www.instagram.com/celluloidscumbag
Education:
3.5 yrs, Bachelor of Arts/Diploma, AB-PHOTOGRAPHY, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Vito Cruz Taft Manila
Exhibitions
Group shows:
2012, Metropolitan Museum – One Day in a City Manila Philippines