"New Works" by Jose Ibay at Whitewall Gallery

A commercial photographer turned into painting only in the last few years.

Though consistently awarded for his advertising photography in the Philippine Advertising Congress and the Creative Guild of the Philippines since the mid-1980s, he has put up three one-man shows. And now at his late 60's, Jose Ibay is marking his distinctive style on his 4th solo exhibition.

Started as an art director, his industry partner, Lia Velasco, encouraged him to start painting. Jose took advertising and worked as a commercial photographer. He presented his works to most galleries but none of them accepted. 

"Before, my style is clean and precise -- as what it does in advertising." But later on, he thought of changing his own style and creating something different. He describes his style as rugged, rough and textured.

The artist considers "Eye Naku" as one of his strongest paintings since the beginning of his career as a painter, referring to the Tagalog term ‘hay naku!’ He believes that, “branding is important.” That’s why he decided to put his name back on track – making Joey to Jose – giving the mature audience a more reputable image in the industry. Jose describes his work as, “bulag, aperture….seryoso.” 

From clean strokes and perfecting the way one illustrates paintings, he tried grumpy, rugged strokes to isolate him from the rest of the norm-painters in this generation. He adds, “Dapat alam nila (artists) yung target nila, kung paiba-iba ang direksyon sa style, dapat panindigan nila ang isa from the start pa lang…”

His 4th solo exhibition entitled NEW WORKS, will feature mostly portraits – including three of today’s high-profiled personalities – Boy Abunda, BB Gandanghari and Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Opening reception is on December 8, 2009, 6PM at Whitewall Gallery, 7476 Bagtikan Street, San Antonio Village, Makati. Exhibit runs until December 17, 2009.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

JOSE IBAY

Finished a Degree in Fine Arts major in Advertising

University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1971

1972-1982 – Artist/photographer – Grant Advertising, manila

1982-1986 – Photographer/ Art Director – J. Walter Thompson Phils., Inc., Manila

1986-1988 – Photographer/Partner – Zapshot Advertising Photography, Makati City

1988 to Present – President, Photography/Lighting Director- Lightmoves Photo/Design, Inc., Makati city

Advertising photographer, he is a consistent awardee in the Philippine Advertising Congress and Creative Guild of the Philippines since 1986 up to the present.

2004 - 1st one man show, “About Face”, Galerie Astra, Reposo Makati City

2002 Group Show – 55th AAP Annual Art Competition 2002 – GSIS Museo ng Sining, Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., MM

2003 NGONIAN – Magayon Art Gallery, Legaspi City

2006 Korpus Group – Galerie Astra, Reposo Makati City

2007 Korpus II – Galerie Astra, Reposo Makati City

2008 Marikina Group – Galerie Astra, Reposo Makati City

2007 “Jammin” Rocked Age Icons - Collaborations w/ 48 artists, Metro Politan Museum Roxas Blvd. together with Galerie Astra Reposo Makati City