MANILA, Philippines — Several people, including celebrities, influencers and businessmen, lined up to purchase one-of-a-kind home décor sculptures by the renowned Orlando-based Filipino-American artist Jefrë, during the unveiling of his collection on Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, BGC (The M).
The guests during the private press collector’s preview enjoyed seeing smaller versions of Jefrë’s collection since he popularized its gigantic status, such as the 12-meter-tall “Time Sculpture” he created for the SM Megamall Complex.
This is part of the soft launch of his exhibit, “Points of Origin,” in collaboration with The M, Philippine Airlines, with additional assistance from Megawide Corporation and Asian Tigers Philippines.
In March, Jefrë will formally open his solo museum, which will mostly include artwork depicting his battle with chronic heart disease.
“What you see today is actually just the preview. The museum officially opens in March, this will be a brand lobby, and you’ll see the other parts of my work here that couldn’t fit in the ceilings, so I tried to bring things smaller. We tried to do this because we can,” he said during the event.
Meanwhile, the Points of Origin exhibit is accessible to the public from February 15 until July 1, 2023. The artist will hold another talk with the visitors on February 18.
Born Jefrë Figueras Manuel, Jefrë has placed monumental public art works worldwide. He has shown his work around the United States, receiving international acclaim for his highly engaging and visually stunning work.
His site-specific works in the US include Reflection (2010) in Philadelphia’s Unity Plaza, The Beacon and Code Wall (2014) in Orlando, Florida.
In 2020, he had his first solo museum exhibition at the Orlando Museum of Art, entitled “Titled Points of Connection.”
When asked why he returned to the Philippines to exhibit his art, he simply remarked, “Because I’m a Filipino.”
“At one time I actually hated being Filipino, to really discover my roots in the last ten years, to take everything that I learned and experienced to bring all back all here in the Philippines,” he cited.
Over the years, he has made public art in the country; his most recent piece is The Victor, a 24-story-high standing figure with an arm outstretched, symbolizing a modern Statue of Liberty, located on a bridge between Pasig and Quezon City. The Victor is a worker’s celebration, a tribute to his humble beginnings, and its location at a bridge, a point of connection, is significant.
The exhibition’s curator, Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon defined Points of Origin as “ultimately delivers what is set out to achieve: an artist uncovering his origins, exploring the multiple facets of his identity, creating a bridge across cultures, returning home having accomplished greatness across the ocean, and this time, pursuing and achieving the dream in two places at once.
And what a monumental dream this is, unapologetically reaching for the stars, emulating the grandeur of nature, and most of all, anchored in belonging.”