Jayme Lucas recently unveiled her second solo exhibition titled “Traces,” at the Art Cube Gallery in Makati City. The exhibit was a poignant journey through her artistic evolution, featuring works that engage the viewers to explore their memories, traditions, and emotions.

“In my current exploration as a young artist, I always get interested in my hometown landscapes and the narratives of Filipinos. These are the aspects that usually embody the statements or the substance in my work,” says Lucas.

The inspiration behind “Traces” emerged from Lucas’ deep connection to her surroundings. Her creative process wasn’t bound by a linear sequence but rather parallel to a prelude that branched into diverse areas. A photograph of a barren local field sparked her journey, leading her to create artworks that contain elements of traditions, familiar superstitions, connections with people, and memories.

Lucas meticulously intertwined the composition, color palette, and overall mood of her exhibit to create an experience for the viewer. She drew inspiration from monotonous landscapes from a traveler’s perspective. Her color palette consisted of dim green shades and gray tones. These colors and composition breathed life and emotion into her works.

Her technique is a two-phase process that involves continuous painting, known as the “alla prima method,” followed by a radical subtraction phase. “The painting technique as the first method that I became interested to explore is called the alla prima method,” Lucas explains. “It’s a single-session application of oil pigment on canvas.” The subtractive phase, meanwhile, involves using a special tool to scratch the painted surface to create an essence of imperfection.

One of the central works in the exhibit, Playground, features intriguing symbols that provoke contemplation. “In Playground, the footprints may suggest confrontations between two entities,” she says. “Whether a gesture of goodbye or a confrontation between oneself—the present and the past.” The dragonflies in the painting hold symbolic significance, representing spirits of departed loved ones in Filipino tradition.

As Lucas evolves as an artist, she remains committed to experimentation and self-discovery. “There is always a continuous evolution and experimentation whenever I create. More important, it should teach me why I create,” she muses.

Her background in advertising has also played a role in shaping her artistic approach. “In my observation, the school provided academic values to me being a practical student,” she says. “But art, as a more empathetic platform, offers different perspectives in navigating the existential path in life and in creative making.”

Lucas envisions larger canvases and more poetic themes in her future works, in which she aims to anchor her societal views to her art. She remains open to experimenting with different mediums that align with her artistic vision.

“Traces” was more than an art exhibit, it was a testament to Jayme Lucas’ exploration of self, culture, and the intricate tapestry of memories that make us who we are. As viewers engage with her art, they embark on a journey of their own, tracing the lines that connect them with everyone and everything else.

Art Cube Gallery is at OPVI Center, 2295 Chino Roces Extension, Makati City.