Cultivate Joy

It is a general understatement that life, beautifully perplexing as it is, is fleeting. The natural order of existence involves the inevitable cycle of life and death. Yet we find meaning and reason in between this cycle: to find purpose in our presence in order to simply live.

Visual artist Haraya Tejido deeply believes in this philosophy. As humans, we are gifted the ability to rationalize our thoughts and emotions, and ultimately, find the innate value and importance gained from our experiences. “A person’s life is a cyclic journey of moments of sadness and joy. But at the end of the day, you choose to surround yourself with things and people that cultivate joy,” says the artist. This central theme ultimately binds her latest exhibit, wherein she translates her unspoiled beliefs about the cycle of mortality into the form of vivacious floral abundance.

Haraya reintroduces her euphuistic renditions of flowers, and in this exhibit, she represents the flourishing bouquets grown from our homeland. She also chose to illustrate the national flowers in honor of her late mother. “My mother was an aficionado of these endemic species and read all about them,” Haraya mentions. Moreover, the artist culls the special varieties that deem unique to her. She chooses specific colors, shapes, and forms from the floral embellishments and transforms them into abstract-impressionist illustrations – lively and visually arresting in all their grace and glory. We especially see this in pieces such as “Connected and Present (Jade Vine)”, “Cultivate Joy (Bougainvillea and Ylang-Ylang)”, and “Forever Grateful (Gumamela)” – endearing visual adaptations of flowers comprising consistent lines, realized forms, and saturated patterns of color.

With these in mind, “Cultivate Joy”, pays homage to life and its rational, emotional, and spiritual essence. Further, the presented flowers are also a visual metaphor for empowerment in women and mother figures, as each flower’s stance presents itself boldly and bravely amidst other outside elements: protecting the delicate buds and leafy home environments.

Haraya Corazon Ocampo Tejido (b.1981) received her Marketing Management degree from the De La Salle University Manila in 2002. She unofficially started her art practice back in 2009 as a studio apprentice for visual artist Jomike Tejido, her spouse. Working on several pieces every month helped Haraya hone her skills, “as if it were art classes conveniently situated in our home studio,” she narrates. In 2021, after more than a decade of working as an apprentice, Haraya ventured signing her own pieces that reflect her personal interests. Incidentally, opportunities for group shows arose, and from these foundations, her latest works have come to bloom.

The artist describes her oeuvre as whimsical and stylized. Inspired by the beauty of nature, her flowers are graphical depictions of their real counterparts, intentionally shedding themselves from the bounds of realism with her signature essential forms and uplifting color schemes. Haraya intends for these blooms to serve as sources of strength, as well as provide healing refuge for one’s eyes can rest.

“Cultivate Joy” by Haraya Tejido will be on view at Galerie Raphael U.P. Town Center from July 7 – 16, 2023 with the Artist Reception slated for July 8, Saturday at 5 PM. Galerie Raphael U.P. Town Center is located at the 2/F Phase 2, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact Galerie Raphael U.P. Town Center at +632 8247 1109 or email galerie.raphael@gmail.com.