JP Cuison: Retro, You Know

A Parallel Planets piece by Pepe Serapio

Parallel Planets presents JP Cuison

in Retro, You Know
Story by Jofer Serapio

Mentioned: eye-popping perspective, redefining throwbacks, and Andy Warhol

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If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then the way to a man's soul is through his eyes. Case in point: art and pop culture. Often, art is depicted as an acquired taste, but douse it in pop culture and everyone can't help but pay attention.

Art by JP

JP Cuison, who describes himself as a pop artist, makes a very good argument with his creations: there is beauty in nostalgia, and that beauty speaks to and for everyone. From Jose Rizal to Andy Warhol, gig posters to paintings, nothing is sacred and off-limits for JP. He doesn't stray far from the original source and even ensures that the elements that make it distinct are there. Yet he finds a way to still flip the script and reintroduce your childhood with a dash of brazen humor, his trademark sensibility, and a brand new, eye-popping perspective. Bright, colorful, and so retro, his work redefines throwbacks. Simply put, JP is a one-man 70s show.

Art by JP

Art by JP

JP's foray into the craft was inspired by his artist father. As a kid, he would watch his old man work on portraits and landscapes. He didn't know it back then, no one ever does, but he was already being dragged into the inspiring world of charming characters and wondrous worlds.

Yet JP's journey wasn't always as inspiring as it would seem. Money and fame once claimed him, attesting to his youth and folly of that time. "I didn't know [any] better then," JP admits. As most inevitable things go, however, it did not take him long to evolve. Casting early materialistic ambitions aside, he turned to inspiration from the people around him. That's a lot of people, including his amazing wife and two beautiful daughters, and JP wouldn't have it any other way.

Art by JP

Art by JP

Through art, he gets to help others, whether through entertainment or promotions.  It's clearly an outlet for him as well. He enjoys what he does, and he rarely associates his craft with unnecessary pressure. Should "artist's block" come knocking at his door, he greets it with a book or a movie. Taking a breather has been helpful to him as well, detaching himself from all that work for just enough time to get his wits back together. His no process, no rules approach to art may seem chaotic to some, but JP is the type to make a prayer before and after he gets the job done, the task at hand. "I give glory to God in everything I do," JP shares.

Art by JP

Art by JP

From proving himself in school contests, JP is now attempting to turn his original characters, Buzztro and Jarvis, into toys. To add to that, he's also working on an animation project, a t-shirt design, and a cover for a graphic novel. That last one should come as no surprise if you've seen what JP can do with posters.

JP is currently working with Apol Sta. Maria and has also worked with Christian Tamondong and Newmo Aguila, though not at the same time: they collaborated for a group show at Secret Fresh. To his peers, JP shares an advice that he himself takes to heart: "Forget fame, money, and glory. Concentrate on the work."

Art by JP

More from JP Cuison: Blog, Art Blog, Twitter