Cover Jefrë poses with his maquettes in Paris for the Art Basel Week
Jefrë poses with his maquettes in Paris for the Art Basel Week
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Known for his monumental and site-specific art, Filipino-American artist Jefrë wows art lovers and critics at the Art Basel Week in Paris
Known for his monumental sculptures, including the recently unveiled The Victor in Robinsons Bridgetowne, the Filipino-American artist Jefrë recently debuted in Europe his eXtra Large Small (XLS) series of miniature statues and other figurations made of polished mirrors and stainless steel. Rivoli Fine Art showcased his eye-catching works at the Art Basel Week in Paris.
Throughout the exhibition, his works suited the chosen space of white walls and high ceilings, exposing their profound and enigmatic nature amid their monochromatic and minimalistic design. Visitors of the much-anticipated iteration of Art Basel were captivated by the works for their dynamism, which introduced them to the artist’s prolific career in several parts of the world, including the Philippines.
Read also: Who is Jefrë, the artist behind some of Metro Manila’s iconic modern landmarks?
Philippine ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West graced the opening of Jefrë’s exhibition
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With the European culture thriving in its rich and diverse modern and contemporary art scene, Jefrë was excited to showcase his distinct artistic identity in the region. “Paris is also home to iconic artistic places like the Louvre, not to mention that the exhibition coincides with Art Basel Week,” he said.
Smaller-scale works were not daunting for the artist, known for colossal works, including The Victor, Time, The Beacon, and other sculptural figures exhibited at the Orlando Museum of Art and Metropolitan Museum of Manila. “The challenge is finding the right venue to showcase smaller works,” he said.
Above ‘Tiger’ (2023)
Above ‘Balance’ (2023)
‘Tiger’ (2023)
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Above ‘Jumpman’ (2023)
Above ‘The Victor’ (2023)
‘Jumpman’ (2023)
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Featuring smaller versions of many of his public artworks and some uniquely made for this scale, the exhibition managed still to enliven the room and space Rivoli Fine Art provided for Jefrë. Public art is not new to Paris as it is where iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triomphe can be found. And so, Jefrë understands how Europeans receive and engage with these artworks daily. In this European debut, Jefrë’s philosophy of making public art more site-specific (meaning it reflects the city's culture in a more figurative approach) differentiates him as an artist and separates his works from the rest.
“The smaller-scale versions help one appreciate my larger works, which means understanding how it manages the space it was given, its visual and textural components,” Jefrë said.
The artist explained that his works complement the architectural elements, space, and materiality of their locations. They were also made with inviting access paths to be approachable for passersby and the cities’ residents.
Above Jefrë’s work at the Orlando Museum of Art
Jefrë’s work at the Orlando Museum of Art
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“When your works are confined to a room, you have to figure out how the guests can appreciate them differently than engaging with them in a public space,” Jefrë explained.
In presenting his smaller works, Jefrë considered ways to help the visitors understand, within the limits of a gallery space, the city’s emotions, people, and culture that inspired these works.
“It is difficult to transform something I made 20 ft into an 18-inch-tall piece,” he said. “But to put them together as a collection makes you appreciate that scale does matter. Understandably, the market you’re looking at on this platform is art collectors who have pieces in their residences or business places and want something that appeals to them personally.”
Above Jefrë (Photo: Ryan Arbilo)
Above Jefrë (Photo: Ryan Arbilo)
Jefrë (Photo: Ryan Arbilo)
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“eXtra Large Small is an exhibition that taught me that it’s a matter of finding the right space when showcasing smaller works. And yet, the impact it has on its surroundings can be the same, and even elevated—which, in the case of my works, is about reflecting its environment,” Jefrë said.
The artist admitted he is still learning to achieve this impact for his maquettes and statuettes, but he is enjoying this continuous exploration of his artistry.
“I’m very excited about my debut exhibition in Europe, especially during Paris Art Basel Week. It’s a gallery experience where people can appreciate my work and see how it relates to the skylines of the cities they are in,” the artist shared in this interview, conducted before the opening of his exhibition on October 19.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
