Jv Librea has taken up several artistic endeavors throughout her life. Whether it be through a piano or a paintbrush, she's always expressed herself best through creativity. Having dabbled in designing and modeling, Jv has gained perspectives on what it's like being both a maker and a muse. Throughout these encounters, she's developed a keen understanding of how art influences humanity, and vice versa.
In an exclusive interview with Preview, the multi-disciplinary creative talks about how art has become an extension of her experiences and how it continually influences how she views the world around her.
Preview Creative Spotlight: Jv Librea
ON JV: Croc Leatherette Polo in Matte Cream, IÑIGO, Instagram.com/inigo_______
Hi, Jv! In three words, how would you describe your approach to art and creativity?
"Vulnerability, curiosity, and freedom."
When did your affinity for the arts begin? What was your first memory of being a creative?
"I’ve dabbled in most sides of the arts my whole life. I grew up drawing and painting. I was the kid who asked for a set of oil painting materials, [such as] linseed oil, turpentine, the works, at seven years old. But music and film have been so ingrained in me as well. I remember my late grandmother’s dream for me was to become a concert pianist, so I had piano lessons as a kid, as well as [lessons for] drums and the guitar. I was briefly in a band called Smooch the Bone in 4th grade [laughs]. My dream as a kid was to be an artist and actor, but I was and am still too shy to pursue the latter."
"I’ve always been interested in storytelling and [perceiving] lives as narrated [through songs], movies, photographs, or drawings. To this day, I still can’t quite think of anything more painfully beautiful than the honesty of the human experience so vulnerably shared with strangers."
"The way Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, or Joni Mitchell can string a few words magically transport you to their heartbreaks or triumphs. How Rothko can throw colors together and a retrospective of his work is suddenly a narration of his life. There’s so much love and life in any form of art, and there’s so much power and vulnerability in sharing it."
What are your goals for yourself now that you're focusing your craft on illustrating and painting?
"Quite simply to harness the bravery to share, the compassion to see and understand deeply, and the curiosity to learn. Art is such an intimate endeavor, quite literally birthed from your deepest relationship with yourself and others, [which includes] your experiences, traumas, and joys."
"It’s the magical intersection of your soul and your hands, [which leads you] to think and feel and then to execute. In this lifetime, I would hopefully be able to share something meaningful to the tableau of the human experience, [to share] a glimpse of how I saw a very tiny part of the world in my lifetime."
Where or who do you get inspiration from whenever you create any piece of art?
"All my inspiration comes from the human experience. The space between the mundane and the monumental and the life that exists within that space. All of the stories we hold and the [lives] we come across [are] movies we may never get to see. [I seek to explore] the emotional complexities of our experiences, the things that make us cry and laugh, the shame we inherit from just existing, and the glorious liberation of self-discovery. I just want to celebrate what it means to live a life in this day and age."
ON JV: The Beads of Sweat Dress, ODILE ATELIER BY ODILE PAULINE, Instagram.com/odileatelier; More More Chunky Pearls necklace (worn as an earring), ELEMENTARI, Instagram.com/elementari.ph
"Surveying the tiny in-betweens of grief makes room for the possibility of a smile or even a laugh. [There's a] tender moment in holding someone’s hand for the first time or feeling heartbreak in all its glory. I find that we’ve become so jaded sometimes that these themes have become something quite trite—but [when you] imagine the experience and feel that moment, therein lies the intricacies of everything."
"The thoughts, feelings, and emotions that come with every experience are the depth I’m trying to capture with every drawing, photograph, painting, or creative endeavor I have. I hope my work begs viewers to feel before thinking, to explore the fragility of all our bodies and our lives, [and to realize] the finite glory of our human experience."
How do you think being a queer individual has shaped your approach to creativity? What do you think non-binary creators bring to the local art industry?
"Supported by a foundation of self-discovery and friction, my queer experience has humbled me to what has felt like the point of implosion. I feel in the past year especially, I have evolved with so much surrender that I’ve [let] my body and my mind [become] a vessel of creative endeavors. Be it to support other artists, photographers, and business owners, or to express my own perspectives."
ON JV: The Corps de Ballet Leotard and The Pas de Deux Tulle Dress (worn backwards), ODILE ATELIER BY ODILE PAULINE, Instagram.com/odileatelier
"I have surrendered to the terrifying inevitabilities of life that have crippled artists, [such as] the fear of “cringe” and judgment, [and have understood] that life as an art form is meant to be experienced fearlessly, vulnerably, and passionately. I now approach life and creativity in that same vein, almost as if to say, 'This is who I am, this is what I can do, I can and will be better. But with where I am and what I can offer today, I am happy and secure enough to share what I have with you.'"
"I don’t think non-binary creators need to bring anything uniquely “non-binary” to the local art industry to be honest, for the reason that our experience is unique in and of itself already. In turn, our perspective is different. And within our community, much like every person on this planet, we will never see things the same way. Two people can take a picture of the same apple and their perspectives on how they photograph it will always be informed by different memories and choices."
"There’s so much beauty in that very alienating idea. Although we may never see things the same way, there is so much to learn from everyone around us. In retrospect, I feel that the industry, consumers, and patrons need to make more space to understand the different tableaus that exist within our community. I can only ever speak of my experiences the same way other artists can only speak of theirs, but coming from a minority within a minority, it’s important for us to unapologetically take space."
"[We need to] share our perspectives while we still have the energy and the power to do so as humans. There are still so many gaps in [how we are perceived], and we inevitably fall into so many societal standards and norms that [we need to explore and challenge.]"
ON JV: Netted dress, Stylist's own
What do you hope to see more of in the Philippine art scene? In what ways do you wish it could improve?
"More freedom in the human aspect of the craft. More liberation in our sometimes puritanical views on what an artist should be, look like, and do."
"I also hope for a more unapologetic sense of humor all around. There is so much meant to be fought and challenged for in life, but also so much to laugh and smile about. There are so many stories to be told."
Follow Jv on Instagram here.
Photography by Belg Belgica
Creative Direction by Mark Arvin
Styled by Jason Mago of Gee Jocson Studio
Makeup by Luis Bunag
Hairstyling by Carlo Roblico
Shot at Espacio Creativo Escolta
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