"It gives me peace of mind and disruption at the same time," Andre Chan says of the atmosphere in his home. Residing in a condominum complex in Makati City, the 20-something-year-old is blessed with a constant admission of light from his wide windows. It comes, however, with the frequent sounds of sirens blaring from the nearby fire station.
Since he was in the middle of his teenage years, the Preview Creative 25 2024 honoree has been used to the dichotomies of life. Having come of age in Cebu City, the mixed-media artist seeks to claim autonomy over these juxtapositions. This entails a constant state of "mutation," one that evolves from past experiences—as traumatic as they may be—and turns them into opportunities for growth.
ON ANDRE: Antoine wrap jacket, collared shirt, tie, and slacks, archival IMMA
In this edition of Preview's Creative Spotlight, we chat with Andre about the driving forces behind his career and what he looks forward to in the next decade.
Preview Creative Spotlight: Andre Chan
Hi Andre! Could you please introduce yourself?
"I'm Andre Chan, my pronouns are he and him, and I am from Cebu City."
In three words, how would you describe your approach to art and creativity?
"Atomic, abysmal, and mutation. Everything is made up of points and that’s how I structure and restructure. The word 'atomic' allows me to learn different things because all things can be broken down into points."
Wax Birthday Sculpture by SAAN SAAN x Gera Guinto x Andre Chan
"I always draw from the unknown—from the void, so to speak—I do not know what’s lying inside but we humans constantly live in that void. I want to release this unknown. [In traditional science,] atoms evolve to molecules, to organelles, to cells, [and finally] to tissues. With this, I know that I will always create original work because I mutate constantly."
When and how did your affinity for creativity begin? What would you consider to be your first “work of art"?
"From the moment I was born, the moment I had consciousness, or perhaps even before that."
"My first work was a question. Questions were my first works. I asked myself, 'For what? Why was I born here without my consent? If there is a higher being, why didn’t this higher being give us options?' I choose to question because I choose my path this time, not a higher being."
How has your approach to creating art evolved through the years?
"My approach is like an atom and now it has become a human system. I thank myself and the humans who make me more human."
What were the key events in your life that influenced how you create today?
"Childhood trauma, [which involved] stupid traditions that hindered other people’s freedom. It’s just living in my cells. [There were] people who used authority over reasoning. I wish to transmute all of these [experiences] because they were the only things I knew back then."
"The process [of translating these experiences into my work is like] alchemy. I identify threats and turn them into opportunities."
What do you hope onlookers feel when they view or experience an Andre Chan piece?
"The answer is within you. You are a multitude that can go in all directions. You are polymorphic. You are practicing art even if you don't use the brush. You are already moving and thinking, which means you are creating."
What do you hope to see more of in the Philippine art scene?
"I hope for more inclusivity, meaning for there to be more free and open events. [There needs to be] easier access to the market, [and an] elimination of delinquent payment and abuse."
"It should have structure but a free and open one. If it is such, people can move freely. If expression can flow like this, I believe we can have a progressive structure. I also wish for people to have more autonomy, [which shows if people can start] fending for themselves."
"It has to start with the government and its legislations. That’s their job. As for things I have autonomy over, in my own little ways, I wish to gather people from different fields and make them connect as one. I hope for the community to create solutions together through simple lecture circles, workshops, talks, and the like."
Andre is commemorating his 10th anniversary with TRANSMU+A+ION, a gathering at Nude Floor Makati on October 6, Sunday. Exhibitors at the event include fashion and lifestyle brands HA.MU, Mirrobeads, Saan Saan, as well as photographers Wilmark Jolindon and Ricardo Yan.
Learn more about Andre's work by checking out his portfolio here. Follow him on Instagram here.
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