A Homage to Junyee
June 26 to July 25, 2021
Altro Mondo Creative Space
1159 Chino Roces Avenue, San Antonio Village, 1203 Makati
The Creative Legacy of Junyee
Based in the university town of Los Banos Laguna for most of his active creative life, Luis Yee Jr, also known as Junyee to the Philippine art world, has a number of titles to his name. Father of Installation Art, Father of Indigenous Art, Pioneer in Organic Art, Soothsayer, or Tatay to his followers. While respected as a senior artist his importance to the development of contemporary art in the archipelago – and in the Asian region – has been largely occluded by the vicissitudes of the very art world that he himself changed. We hope to edify his creative and transformative practice in this collective homage to his genius and wish that we could give him his proper place among the national treasures of the land.
Junyee was a pioneer of the art of installation in the 1970s and 80s. While his contemporaries were also into this form as an exercise of conceptual art mostly in indoor settings and altar-like performance spaces, the artist chose to work mostly with open environments, in site-specific spaces, and in a natural relationship with nature. This keenness to work with organic elements, upcycled refuse of the plant world, or the opportunities presented by the environment set Junyee apart from the rest. The approach was radical at a time when environmental concerns and problems were not yet part of daily discourse. No one paid attention to the ravages of global warming 40 years ago. And yet Junyee, on his own, pursued this direction. Even as others were embroiled in the Social Realist rebellion or the Imelda-sponsored groups that painted pretty barong barongs, Junyee fought his own subversive track: harmony with the planet, the radicalism of environmental work. But Junyee was not inured from current events as his work also reflected the issues of his day, like the agricultural reform unrest of the post-Marcos Era among others. He was, like a natural man that he is, attuned at all times.
In the 1990s Junyees influence has reached out to the rest of Asia, thanks to the developing discourse of Asian Modernism of the Indonesian critic Jim Supangkat in dialogue with Apinan Poshyananda of Thailand, Alice Guillermo of the Philippines among others. The discursive highways that linked art communities saw the impact environmental art among other Asian countries and Junyee was among those who collaborated, created pieces and cross-pollinated between practitioners of Southeast Asia. His approach was echoed by fellow Filipinos Roberto Villanueva, Santiago Bose and Rene Aquitania. Elsewhere there was Dadang Christian to, Heri Dono, Sopheap Pich, among others. Junyee was so respected by the critics of theregion that he was featured on the inaugural issue of the journal Art in Asia and the Pacific. Further testimony to the global reach of his visualanguage was his winning design and monument for Filipino-Israeli relations. The late 90s to the early 2000s were the peak of a discourse on an emergent Rennaissance of sorts and a shift of attention market-wise towards Asia and The Pacifoc seemed eminent. Junyee was among those who redefined art worldwide. He, along with his peers were ready to take on the hegemony of the Western Art World.
In 2004, a tsunami hit Thailand, Indonesia and other countries in that area. Years later an economic crash following the devaluation of theThai Baht devastated cultural programs region wide. Countries who were in communion before had withdrawn from ambitious cultural programs to set their own internal economics first. Asian Modernism disappeared slowly in the wake and rise of the Asian Contemporary Art Market, with all its Art Fairs and Auctions.
In the Philippines the comeback of easel painting with the popularity of the Salingpusa painters and their peers put an abrupt pause on multimedia, mixed media and indigenous art. The ready-to-hang and easy-to-digest wall pieces had bested the avant-garde works of artists using non traditional media like the Hulo group and Pintanueve. Art competitions – once open to mixed media works – became conservative purveyors of easel painting. Their influence on the art market remains to this day.
Junyee, thanks to his isolation and non-participation in the trends of his day, remained unfazed. He made paintings too, from kerosene soot in a series called Soots You, and carved logs of santol wood for his Pintado series of sculptures in defiance – or independence – from the demands of the art scene. The artist is a shining example of creative sovereignity. He rejected the 13 Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines because of his personal politics and remained steadfast in his chosen materials and the language of indigenous art for decades, even today. The consistency and conviction of his creative praxis is a lesson on artistic dignity and erudition.
Junyee is the counterpoint to the group of pandering painters who fill up their clients’ homes and coffers with portraits, investable assets and whimsical fantasies of Western Art. In summary, he serves as the rallying point for Filipino artists who remain true to their roots and their visual language. Junyee is a true Filipino artist, worthy successor to Juan Luna. And with his example of subversion, integrity and love for his home, land and planet, we seek refuge and inspiration.
Participating Artists
Alfredo Juan Aquilizan
Ambie Abano
Armand Bacaltos
Beatrix Syjuco
Benjie Cabangis
Benjie Cabrera
Boboy Yonzon
BongPaz Fernand
Bong Salazar
Bokeng Ancanan
Boysie Villavicencto
Butch Payawal
Carlito C. Amalla
Carlo Dimaano
Christiano Aquino
Cid Reyes
Dante Palmes
Dan Raralio
Dennis de Jesus
Demosthenes Campos
Ding Sangreo
Diwa Abueva
Edchell Montillano
Eddie Santillan
Edwin Wilwayco
Egai Fernandez
Eghai Roxas
Florence Cinco
Elbert Caballero
Fil Delacruz
Fitz Herrera
Flor Baradi
Gabi Nazareno
Gerry Ingco
Gerry Leonardo
Gig De Pio
Gus Albor
Heber Bartolome
Hermes Alegre
Herminigildo Pineda
Hermisanto
Impy Pilapil
Imelda Cajipe Endaya
Janice Liusin-Young
Jeff Dizon
Jinggoy Buensuceso
Joe Bautista
Joey Cobcobo
Jonathan Olazo
Jose Tence Ruiz
Juan Sajid Imao
Julie Lluch
Katti Sta. Ana
Kaye Oyek
Lara Latosa
Louie Butao
Leeroy New
Manny Garibay
Marvin Oloris
Marlon Magbanua
Melbourne Aquino
Meneline Wong, M.D.
Michael Velasco
Neil Doloricon
Neil Pasilan
Nestor Vinluan
Pablo Baen Santos
Pandy Aviado
Pat Tanedo
Pete Jimenez
PG Zoluaga
Raul Lebajo
Rax Bautista
Red Mansueto
Renante Dubois
Renato Habulan
Rene Canlas
Riel Jaramillo Hilario
Rico Lascano
Rock Drilon
Roy Espinosa
Roy Veneracion
Salvador Ching
Sam Penaso
Valen Valero
Wayan Narra
Winston Hernandez
Winner Jumalon
Yob Achacruz
Ritche Yee
