Biography
Jefferson "JEF" Cablog (b.1981) is an indigenous artist from Barlig , Mt. Province, Philippines who believes in charting his future as a painter by looking to his past. Although he sought an artist’s education within a modern institution, he promptly quit school when he felt that his instruction has begun to alter his traditional vision. Unlike most artists who strive to change the current, Jef look upon his elders to try to see a window to his people’s past.
His paintings will show how stories and dreams handed down from the elders have translated themselves to visual images on canvas. His paintings overflow with details, some apparent, others you only discover after generous amounts of observation. Jef, an artist steadily gaining recognition in the Cordillera and national art scene, draws inspiration and energy from the mountains of his hometown. Art patrons always notice how Jef’s paintings are able to show aspects of Ifialig culture in non-literal form, making them unique and distinctive.
His current works are realistic and expressionist. He envisions his work as a time reference to record the transition of conventional to the modern art using traditional medium. His composition and lightings are earthy and low lighted to express his dreamy and imaginative world free from the hectic routines of the modern world. Majority of his subjects shown are indigenous and mythical passed along by old folks of his community.
His works are recently valued and perceived by writers, researchers, critics, advocates and collectors as priceless mementos of their experience and interaction with the community of the Cordilleras.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I have listened to the countless stories of Barlig, Mountain Province,my hometown, as narrated by our village elders; and now I struggle to preserve these through my works and I know I will have to devote my entire life to this task.
I paint as my ancestors have built the rice terraces—stone by stone, piece by piece. My ancestors painstakingly crafted a grand cultural monument. Now I wish to do the same through my art.
