For this Singapore-based Filipino architect, painting is the 'antithesis' to his daily life

An architect by day, a painter by night—this is how Singapore-based Filipino artist John Rey Quiban finds balance between his daily life and passion for the arts.

Through his canvas and brushes, the 38-year-old artist feels free—free to do anything he wants and free to express what's on his mind, far from his usual job.

"It's the antithesis of what I'm doing because I am into measurements, straight lines. So dito naman, free flow lang siya," Quiban told GMA News Online during his "Quiet Riot" exhibit at the Galerie Stephanie in Shangri-La on Wednesday.

It's his second exhibit in the Philippines, following his debut at Art Fair Philippines in February this year.

"It's a happy feeling, I can't believe there is another," Quiban said.

It was in high school when Quiban discovered his flair in painting, but forgot about it when he started working as an architect.

Then the  pandemic happened. Quiban, confined in the four concrete walls of his Singapore home, decided to revisit his old hobby to kill boredom.

In 2021, Singaporean gallery Sound of Art took notice of his talent and invited him to do a group show with them.

"Start 'yung ng 2021. So, I was just posting sa Instagram and then, surprisingly, may nag-message sa akin, wanna join us for a group show? Tapos ayun."

His current exhibit "Quiet Riot," is a collection of landscape artworks that delves into the themes and concept of "in-between moments, lingering memories and unexpressed feelings."

In his catalog, Quiban wrote that "trees harbor the weight of memory, the sky rests on the brink of yearning."

"These are landscapes of quiet riot-rife with longing, sadness, gratitude, and hope all at once," he added.

Quiban said that his latest paintings are a reflection of what he is as a person.

"It's very personal to me kasi, sabi nila I'm very quiet type of person, peaceful pero underneath this one facade, parang ang daming gumugulo sa isip ko. So parang ganun, it reflects on my painting," he shares.

As a landscape artist, Quiban feels that this type of art is a "pathway to our memories from the past."

"So I just want [people] to remember, if you see these paintings, parang you remember an old friend. Parang nostalgia. You remember something good or bad that is very important to your core. Parang you remember something when you see these paintings," he said.

"I just want people to remember the memories na sobrang importante sa kanila. And once you know, makita mo to, parang mawawala ka sa ano… you're lost in your thoughts. Mag-iisip ka lang. Gusto ko ganon."

Relying on his intuitive mind to paint, Quiban said that he gets inspiration from his past memories and experiences in life.

"All the sacrifices, the pain, the memories, sa mga loved ones ko. Doon 'yung inspiration ko, actually. 'Yung mga taong malalapit sa akin. And mga bagay na nagkaroon ng mga imprint emotions," he said.

He also sees painting as an outlet to release the emotional turmoil going inside him.

"Parang, gusto mo lang magkaroon ng outlet for the things that is going inside [me]. Ayun. Masaya, masaya, parang, oh, nagagagawa ko 'to, parang, masaya, kasi nailalabas mo na. Tapos ngayon nashe-share mo sa tao."

As a creative who aspired to be an artist as a child, Quiban's advice to young talents to just "keep painting."

"You don't have to push yourself. You have to grow every canvas and just enjoy the process," he said.

"The moment you're getting lost, I think, dun mo nakikilala 'yung sarili mo, 'yung artwork mo. So, just keep on going. And there's a lot of frustrations coming in, pero you just have to go. Pick up the brush and paint."

As for those creatives who want to pursue a career in traditional art but are hindered with the financial challenge they may face, Quiban said, "Of course, may pera sa art."

"You have to do good art para ma-launch 'yung career mo. Follow your passion. Siguro, may reward, if you do good talaga. Just, just go with it."

Quiban's life as an architect and as an artist are two different worlds, but he enjoys the hustle it brings.

He's still an architect by day, and will continue to paint his imaginations by night.

Quiban submitted 18 artworks at the Galerie Stephanie, including a 36 x 36 painting called "A peaceful invitation." The exhibit runs from November 6 to November 29.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News