JUNO Galang was born in 1942 in Sta Cruz, Manila. At a very young age, he was already drawn to the world of arts, eventually taking up Fine Arts, major in advertising, at the University of Santo Tomas. In spite of his educational background, he considers himself as self-taught. His art education was largely honed by regular visits to art galleries in Mabini, Malate, then considered as the art district of Manila, picking up painting techniques from that era’s ‘master’ artists.
Brief stints as an illustrator and a graphic artist in advertising agencies would serve as his experience before migrating to the United States in the 60s. There, he would build his extensive experience doing prolific work as a freelance illustrator in several department stores in San Francisco, moving on to New York, then Seattle, Washington, and working his way north to Vancouver, Canada.
It was during a vacation in Hawaii that he thought he’d found the place to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. Relocating there, he began checking out the art markets and galleries in Hawaii, and discovered that there were not too many works of art with local themes or scenes, considering that the islands are a haven for tourists and vacationing mainlanders. So, he decided he would work on what he referred to as “painting memories” for the visitors and tourists to take home – something to remind them of the wonderful time they had while on vacation in the islands. Most of his artworks then were of local flavors and colors of the islands, and featured the culture, traditions, and the people.
In time, he would hold exhibits in different galleries across the mainland, successfully displaying and selling his art. His early works were inspired and influenced by Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin. Works of art with seemingly animated figures set against bright hues of red, blue, yellow and green. Continuously challenging himself, his art evolved to what he describes as subjects rendered in hyper-realism, set against a profusion of bright and happy colors, with a Warhol-esque pop feel. He believes his work should “evoke emotions,” make the viewer feel good; hence, the use of distinctive subjects and warm colors.
As with most artists, he may have begun painting referencing common images for ideas, but eventually, he would paint what he saw in his mind’s eye.
After 55 years of being away, with an illustrious and lucrative art career, including 22 years as a gallery artist in Hawaii, Juno considered going back to the Philippines. In 2016, he returned as a part-time resident to re-establish his roots, while maintaining links with his adopted country. He received an attractive offer from a hotel in Hawaii to be its artist-in-residence, even while dividing his time between the Philippines and the US. But in 2020, stranded by the pandemic, he decided to come back for good.
At a young 80 years of age, Juno challenged himself again in his artistic journey. This time, while rediscovering his roots, he began painting local scenes and people going about their daily lives, what he calls as his tribute to the true heroes of society – the street vendors, village fishermen, farmers and front liners. His work has evolved again, staying away from the hyper-realism that marked most of his work in Hawaii, moving toward contemporary impressionism, painting in vibrant colors, still influenced by Van Gogh, Picasso and Gauguin.
Juno’s upcoming exhibition, aptly entitled “Simula,” is his first one-man show since coming back. A start of what may very well be a sort of a ‘rebirth’ for him in his homeland. His body of work for this show focuses on his various renditions of fish and what it symbolizes – wisdom, prosperity, good luck, as well as a life force existing in depths.
As Juno declares, “Painting is my first love and passion.” He paints what he sees, feels and perceives and does so in a style that pulsates with life and vibrant colors. He invites the viewer to experience the world of Juno Galang.
“Simula” is to run from June 21 to July 5, 2023 at the ArtistSpace located at Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Gallery hours is from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.