CEBUANO artist Jean Govinda Marquesto recently launched his first solo exhibit at Qube Gallery. Dubbed “Strings and Shades,” Jean was inspired to exhibit a collection of works showcasing single mothers. Stepping inside the gallery, one is greeted with 14 original works mixed with oil paints, nails and threads.
With his core belief that art’s purpose is to enable someone to create something new, Jean wanted to portray the strength and resilience of single mothers through the use of strings.
“The exhibit is called ‘Strings and Shades.’ When creating a picture, you have to use dark and light shades. But this time, instead of paint, I used colored strings instead,” Jean explained, utilizing thread strings mixed with oil paints.
The message is just as gripping as the medium; threads hold pieces together. Jean wanted to honor hardworking single mothers.
“I’ve met a lot of single mothers who really have to work hard to support their child. I think that society, in general, hasn’t put much emphasis on how difficult it really is to be a single mother,” shared the artist.
As for the exhibit itself, Jean had his own share of toil; this, being his first one-man show.
“Mixed emotions,” he said, on how he felt. “From the creation of the study sketch up to the actual piece. Cebu is very strict in terms of arts.”
Primarily a musician, Govinda shared how his art does not draw from direct influences from other visual artists. But currently, he is inspired and appreciative of the works by Gustav Klimt, Pablo Picasso and John Singer Sargent. Having received invitations to exhibit his art in places like Taipei and Amsterdam, and an award from Art Revolution held in Taiwan, Jean said that one doesn’t really have to be good at painting to become a good artist.
“You don’t have to be a good painter. I am not a good painter. The purpose of being an artist is to contribute something new to the society.”
“Strings and Shades” by Jean Govinda Marquesto at Qube Gallery, Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City runs until March 21.