Skip to main content

Pinoy Pride


The more I look at Jay Cabalu's collages, the more I find them fascinating. The Vancouver-based artist takes inspiration from various sources: Pop culture, capitalism, gender expression, and his Filipino roots. All these influences come together in the visually staggering art pieces he creates, products of what must be an extraordinary imagination or deep reflection. Or, most likely, both. Keep in mind, these portraits are created with magazines and comics he has collected from a very young age.

Jay has a BFA from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has exhibited in several galleries in Canada since graduating in 2013. Through collage, Jay reverse-appropriates to build his own universe and self-identity. From Justin Trudeau, to Audrey Hepburn, to vibrant self portraits, you'll surely find something that catches your eye when you check out his website and Instagram.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Italy's True Movie Poster King

What you see here is the hand-crafted magic of Renato Casaro, the late Italian designer who practically defined an era of cinematic cool. His work wasn't just advertising; it was art. Casaro's journey into becoming one of the most recognizable poster artists wasn't by chance; it was a pure obsession. As a kid, he was fascinated by billboards, trying to mimic the styles of Norman Rockwell and Angelo Cesselon. Think of a teen so determined that he was drawing right onto the walls of a local cinema just to snag a few free tickets. Casaro created posters for a lot of Spaghetti Westerns. His big break came with A Fistful of Dollars in 1964. The movie starred Clint Eastwood and was directed by Sergio Leone. The poster didn’t just promote the film; it helped make it a global hit. Naturally, Leone came calling again, commissioning posters for My Name Is Nobody (1973) and the epic crime saga, Once Upon a Time in America (1984). A Casaro poster is easy to spot because of his uniqu...

When chocolate meets art

I heard it's National Chocolate Day, so I thought I'd share this video about Orlando's newest and sweetest attraction.

Hand-Painted Bags That Tell Your Story

  Most bags today look like they were produced by bored machines in a dimly lit factory. You can walk into any mall and find rows of identical leather (or “leather-like”) things, all claiming to express individuality. Ironically, though, they all look exactly the same. Then there’s Abby Verano . Her bags are not mere accessories; they’re declarations. Each one is hand-painted, touched by an actual human being with an imagination. Abby doesn’t just sell you something to put your wallet and smartphone in; she sells you a story, a vision, a little revolt against the tyranny of sameness.  Her tools are simple — brushes, acrylic paint, bags made from pandan leaves, and creativity. No duplicates. No clones. Just one-of-a-kind art pieces you can carry.