(Buzzstation celebrates a Duterte in this issue as it starts a series of interviews with Filipino visual artists entitled 13 Answers using the question-and-answer format. An invited artist is e-mailed 20 art-related questions and selects 13 to answer. US-based artist Ulysses Duterte Jr. inaugurates the series. Ulysses finds an unverified blood relationship with presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, but as his answers show, a love of the visual arts is in his genes.)
The Scriptures apply not only to erotic love (eros), but to the agape love, which is “based on principle.” It preaches that if we apply Agape Love in our daily lives, we will always watch our words to preserve relationships. When salt is used in the right amount, it will preserve food for human consumption.
This is the message of Duterte Jr.’s 12" x 9" acrylic on canvas board Let Your Utterance Be Always Seasoned With Salt (2016).
When dealing with everyone, Duterte Jr. explains, it is vital to follow the apostle Paul’s counsel: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6) Such tasteful, appropriate speech is essential to good communication and peace.
Good communication does not mean saying everything you are thinking and feeling at any given moment, especially if you are upset. The Scriptures show that uncontrolled expression of anger is a mark of weakness, not of strength.
The Scriptures commend the exercising of restraint and discretion, or good judgment, when we speak. “In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly.” (Prov. 10:19; 17:27) Yet, discretion does not mean never expressing oneself. It means speaking “with graciousness,” using the tongue to heal rather than to hurt (Proverbs 12:18; 18:21).
Duterte Jr. starts off this column’s “13 Answers” series of interviews with visual artists where it sends 20 art-related questions and the respondents chooses 13 questions to answer that will be published here verbatim. Works by the artist will be used to visualize responses.
As a visual artist, what is the one thing the public do not know about you?
That I am one of the artists living outside the Philippines. If we are given the same opportunities/shows given to Filipino artists living in the Philippines, they can be proud of their visual artists living abroad.
What training did you get as an artist?
I am a self-taught artist. As far as I remember, I started drawing when I was about three or four years old. I was the graduating class artist of the year both in the Elementary and High School. When I was in high school there was an art gallery attached to our school building which showed Fernando Sena’s works. I studied every detail of his paintings. I was also the youngest member of the Bicol Artists Guild way back in the early ‘90s.
I was able to show with Gus Albor, Renato Habulan, Justin Nuyda and Wilson Belarmino. I learned a lot from their works plus my frequent visits to CCP, Metropolitan Museum, Ayala Museum and other galleries when I visited Manila. I considered those visits part of my schooling. It gave me opportunities to study every painting on the museum walls. Madalas akong pagalitan ng guwardiya dahil halos dumikit ang mga mata ko sa paintings just to see how the artists painted in details. Promdi looking din ako noon kaya natatawa na lang ako noon kapag ang tingin sa akin ng nagbabantay sa museum at galleries ay mula ulo hanggang paa.
Walang Painting sa Fine Arts noon sa probinsiya so I took Architecture in College. I am short of one semester before graduation when I immigrated to the United States. In California I had the opportunity to show with Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Papo de Asis, Alfredo Esquillo and Roland Distor. Again I learned a lot from them. My trips in the US brought me to major museums like the Guggenheim Museum, MOMA, SFMoma. Also I spent a lot of time in Louvre, D’Orsay Museum and Versailles in France. There I’ve learned a lot from European Masters.
Who is the artist who inspires you the most?
Jose Joya. I admire his drawing and painting skills. It was during that one week art workshop that Joya told me to keep drawing and to keep painting. Also his humble spirit and dedication to his work really moved me to concentrate on honing my skills. Sinundan ko ang mga exhibits niya. Nalungkot ako nang maaga siyang mamatay. When it comes to style, I like Salvador Dali. I attended his retrospective show in Guggenheim and there I saw his smallest to biggest paintings. Visiting his museum in France was a highlight of my tour.
What fascinates you the most about art?
Art can make you closer or farther away from your Creator. Many artists say, “they create” but in reality only God can create. We just recycle and use whatever God have created. So to show my gratitude to my Creator I make sure that my works are positive and that they can influence the viewers in a positive way.
Do you paint for money or pleasure?
That’s a hard question. Ito na lang…” It gives me extraordinary pleasure to paint but I want to retire painting.
Who do you think is the best Filipino visual artist?
Me. Just kidding. In a serious note I guess every “dedicated and humble” visual artist can be at his best, not needing a word of approval from others. I hate to see some artists of these kind being forgotten just because “businessmen” did not patronize their art.
Under what condition do you prefer to do your work?
Alone. I like to socialize but when I paint, I prefer to work alone.
Are your works Filipino in spirit?
Most of my models are Filipino in nature but my message is universal. There is no purity in art. Art should be universal.
Does criticism help you become a better artist?
Yes, especially constructive criticisms. I criticize my work too even destroying what I didn’t like.
How do you determine when an art work is done?
The moment one gets the message of my artwork and appreciated or hated it, I know my painting is done.
Are you a prolific artist? I try to just now. Mahirap maging prolific artist if you have a day job here in the US. But after work I make sure I paint.
Do you associate with other artists to stay competitive or to socialize?
As of now, Facebook helps me connect to artists. It’s harder to socialize here in the US. Everybody’s busy.
What is the question you’d like to ask yourself and how will you answer it?
(Question:) Will my art contribute to a positive spirit? (Answer:) There’s a lot of negativity in the world right now. I don’t want to be a part of it.
SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFE. Enjoy Hard Rock Café’s amazing line-up of performers this May. Catch show band Part 3 on May 22, 27 and 29; rock band Red Picasso on May 21; show band Street Beat on May 21 and 28; Paula Bianca on May 23 and 30; soul band Inner Voices on May 24 and 31; show band Arpie & the Multivitamins on May 25; and retro band 70s Super Band on May 26. Look forward to fun and exciting evenings with these top performers as they dish out live a selection of today’s hottest chart-toppers mixed with party anthems, standard favorites, and homegrown hits as well as a delicious sampling of all-time favorite throwback hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. All shows start at 9 p.m.