Art seeks attention as they say. It should be sublime, innovative and leave a striking impression. You have to create buzz and earn a collective point of view to be memorable.
Range Jay Guillema’s form of art has that caliber. It’s unconventional, deep and very personal. Range’s works reference celestial figures while applying the method of photo manipulation. Being the muse of his own art, He is unafraid to be naked, to push boundaries for body positivity even if we live in a country full of conformists and judgments. Provocative to some, but for him it was a self-love movement.
Range Jay Guillema talks to Metroscene about his life as a queer artist, his works’ influences, and what his art means to everyone.
The persistent power to impact
As a 23-year-old queer visual artist from Iloilo City, Range believes that every artist is unique and everything they do is personal. His work is very distinctive, an avant-garde. It is a visual representation of history, emotions, and future concepts. “I guarantee that those are certain elements, and taste in my work that the first time you see it, you’ll know it’s mine,” He said.
He has a lot of “I CAN DO THIS” moments
At the age of 5, Range’s parents already saw his potential for arts. School has been an eye-opener to hone his creativity, which really helped him discover what area He needs to focus on. Range Guillema explained, “you need to choose only one focus point of creativity, sort out your good and bad, and put the effort, time and passion to the craft that helps you grow.”
He is an art shapeshifter
He, like every other artist, started from experimenting but what made him special is his ability to transform multiple characters and personas to his images. He shows his love to an Instagram photo of a woman coming out of a phone a la The Ring by Korean artist, MLMA (@melovemealot), and with that moment, helped him mold his creative ideas.
Range revealed that @matieresfacles (translation for fecal matter) has been his biggest influence to expand his creative horizon. He explained “@matieresfacles really gave me the strength to push boundaries, they taught me that imagination is the limit.” He also took inspirations from classic and horror films, music, poetry, fashion, people and history.
He wants you to overcome self-doubt
He shared that mobile phone has been his medium to create images, and that epitomizes his message of “YOU GOT THE TALENT, WHATEVER YOU HAVE, MAKE IT WORK!” He wants every creative individual to never doubt, and to pursue what they love, “Remember to do it for you, and for those people who believe in you,” He said.
His next move
His main goal is to introduce his craft to a wider audience and be recognized as a Filipino artist. He is aiming for bigger prints for sale, and to have his own exhibit.Range Guiillema’s artworks are on Instagram (@_gagarange). You can also avail print versions of his work through direct messages or via email (rangejayguillema@gmail.com)
