Sculptor JM Saycon made his viewers pause and reflect on the timeless beauty of the past and the enduring power of the human spirit in his recently-concluded exhibit “Birth of the Innocent” at the Art Underground.

Inspired by his late mother, Saycon’s work was a heartfelt tribute to all mothers and women. 

“My inspiration is my mom,” Saycon shared. “Since my mother passed away, my advocacy has become representing everybody else’s mother through my work. I want to inspire people to appreciate their moms and give back to them while they still have the opportunity to do so. I also dedicate this to women who are battling gender stigma.”

The exhibit showcased a fusion of classical and contemporary art. Saycon’s marble sculptures, draped in aluminum foil, symbolize the delicate balance between the past and present.

“Both materials can endure passage of time,” he explained. “The marble sculpture represented the classical period or the past while the present or the contemporary time was represented by the metallic foil. I wanted to connect and make a bridge between these two distinct periods.”

A recurring theme in Saycon’s work was the celebration of feminine strength and empowerment. “Feminine strength and women empowerment are deeply interconnected concepts that reflect both individual and collective power,” he said. “In the future, I believe that women will likely play an even more prominent role in solving global challenges, such as climate change, social justice, and economic equality.”

Childhood and innocence also hold meaning for the artist. “Childhood and innocence are not only pivotal to individual development but also serve as powerful symbols in cultural narratives about purity and hope,” he said.

The artist’s meticulous attention to detail and his ability to evoke emotion through his work were evident in each piece. The serene faces of the women and children depicted in his sculptures convey a sense of timeless beauty and resilience.

Through his art, Saycon wanted to convey the importance of cherishing time and appreciating loved ones. “I want to convey through my art the appreciation of time or aging, and how we perceive and respond to it. Time is one of our most valuable possessions and I’d like to say that you must love your parents because one day they won’t be here and you will no longer have the chance to say or do the things you wish you could have done,” he ends.

Art Underground is located at 2/F Mabini180, 180 A. Mabini St., Addition Hills, San Juan.