Jomike Tejido presents ‘Olympus’

By Grace Micah Oreiro

‘In this set, I made 12 everyday people out of a very mundane and relatable object—children’s wooden blocks. They are people that one may consider a personal hero, may it be a parent, a child, an animal companion, or a food vendor who brings us simple joys.’

Visual artist Jomike Tejido mounts his latest solo exhibition “Olympus” at the contemporary art gallery Galerie Stephanie.

Unsheathing lore and adventure, “Olympus” depicts the ancient Greek deities through contemporary abstractions and explorations. His works represent the eminence of Greek mythology and their homes, narrated through acrylic and gold leaf on four-foot canvases. The signature organic shapes of structured abstraction and balanced colors sprawl throughout Tejido’s works, merging his fascination with mystical fantasy and his affinity with architecture.

Complementing the honors of these mythical icons, the artist also incorporates the presence of mortals amid the circle of the undying through a work called Toys of the Avant Garde. “In this set, I made 12 everyday people out of a very mundane and relatable object—children’s wooden blocks,” says Tejido. “They are people that one may consider a personal hero, may it be a parent, a child, an animal companion, or a food vendor who brings us simple joys.”

“Olympus” is a remembrance of the glories that were founded on moralities and heroic journeys that have shaped our modern-day ideologies, creating nobility out of the ordinary, temples out of mere stones, and legends out of quiet stories yet to be told.

Formally trained as an architect, Tejido, born in 1982, is adept at manipulating the pictorial plane through abstraction. Using geometric shapes and rhythmically alternating between different vibrant colors and textures, he creates imaginary worlds that appear alive, as though they are sticking out of the canvas. Finding such spirit in his works no longer comes as a surprise, after having written and illustrated over 100 children’s books, he paints as a child sees the world—with great sense of wonder and awe.

Working across different media, Tejido has received numerous awards and grants, including being shortlisted for the Sculpture Category in the Philippine Art Awards in 2020. As a writer and illustrator, he has worked on children’s books for publishers abroad, among his clients were Scholastic NYC and Little & Brown Books USA. He has also exhibited his works in various local art spaces and in galleries in France and Japan.

“Olympus” is on view at Galerie Stephanie until Feb. 7. Galerie Stephanie is on the 4th floor of Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, Mandaluyong City. Call +63 7940-5726.