Jonathan Joven:

The Hand With The Gift To Draw, Lends A Hand To Others In Need

By Leys Masangcay

Jonathan Joven, a contemporary artist, has had solo exhibits in the country’s leading galleries as well as in Singapore and in the USA. The country’s acknowledged ‘Father of Philippine Art Workshops’, maestro Fernando B. Sena, considers Jonathan as one of his best art students. Jonathan is in-demand as he is booked-solid for numerous forthcoming exhibits and commissioned art works till 2024.

Behind Jonathan’s celebrated art works and the inspiration underneath his creations is an inspiring Dickensian saga that triumphs in the end as a result of hard work, perseverance, strength of character and the focus to harness one’s God-given talent.

Screenshot above: courtesy of Manila Bulletin

Born as the eldest in a family of 6 children, Jonathan grew up in the Smokey Mountain, a garbage dumpsite in Manila, where the resident’s common source of livelihood is to scour for materials amidst the pile of trash that can be sold to junk shops.

“Grade six ako noon at napadaan ako sa ERDA SaBaNa dahil scholar doon ang dalawang kapatid ko. Nakita ko na may mga estudyante na nag hand painting ng mga T-shirt habang tinuturuan sila ni Mr. Fernando Sena sa isang art workshop.” Jonathan narrates. ERDA, which stands for Educational Research Development Assistance is a foundation that reintegrates marginalized youths back to school. SaBaNa meanwhile is a satellite center of ERDA in Tondo, Manila.

“Naging interesado ako at sumali ako sa mga art workshops, natuto ako mag hand painting, at ginawa na din ako mag-assist kay  Mr Sena” he relates. Jonathan got incentives when he does hand painting work. Jonathan became a Junior Educator, an informal volunteer work, to the younger youths at the foundation. This went on when Jonathan was 12 till he was 17 years old.

Above clipping is from a 1994 feature on Jonathan Joven when he was in Grade 6 at the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School

Jonathan’s interest was really in the arts. In fact, he even mentioned in his elementary newsletter feature that he wanted to take up Fine Arts in college, however, the scholarship given to him was for a Computer Engineering course which he grabbed at the City College of Manila (now, Universidad de Manila). Life was really difficult and his father could no longer assist in the miscellaneous expenses for him to continue his Computer Engineering course, thus, he had to drop-out of school.

“Naging pedicab driver din ako nung panahon na yun” Jonathan quipped. He had to take on this side hustle in order to have an income. “Sa Divisoria ang rota ko” he added. Jonathan mentioned that he had to pay the owner of the pedicab forty pesos as boundary fee and the rest would be his earnings. Unfortunately, the pedicab got stolen and this got him into another dilemma as his meager source of income vanished.

Out of work and out of school, his spirits may have been dampened, but he resolved to carry on to do what he loves best – that is, to focus on his artistic talent, hence, Jonathan became an assistant to Mr. Fernando Sena at his art workshops once again. Jonathan would do everything – he’s done silkscreen work, paint on bags and on ribbons, name it, Jonathan has done it. He’s been treated by Mr. Fernando Sena as family as he lived in the Quezon City home of the artist as the workshops were being conducted at Mr. Sena’s house. This went on from the year 2000 till 2003.

Photo above: Jonathan Joven with maestro Fernando Sena

Recognizing Jonathan’s talent, Mr. Sena challenged Jonathan. The deal is for Jonathan to pass the entrance exams at the UP College of Fine Arts, and if he does, he’ll be a full scholar of Mr. Sena. With flying colors, Jonathan made it to the University of the Philippines.

“Lubos na natuwa ang aking Tatay nung mag graduate ako noong 2014, kasi nakaraos ako sa pag-aaral ko” Jonathan mentioned with nostalgia “At syempre masaya din ako dahil makakatulong na din ako sa Tatay ko na ma-i-ahon ang pamilya namin.”

Jonathan is most proud about his stint at the State University and the thesis he worked so hard prior to graduation. The theme of his thesis – ‘Worm’s Eye-View Perspectives.’ The inspiration is derived when he was a little boy as he would see from the base of dumpsites the scale of things, the enormity of the trucks, as it would unload piles of trash. It brought to life the life he lived when he was scavenging. It challenged him to bring forth the simple scenes in his mind and elevate them in a way that anyone can be touched by his humble experience.

From then on, there was no stopping Jonathan. His first solo exhibit was in 2016 at the Boston Art Gallery, and the theme was ‘Point of View’, another reference to his youth and thesis. In 2017, he had his second solo show, this time at the Secret Fresh Gallery, wherein he made installation works and paintings in the ceiling, and the exhibit title – ‘Under The Same Sky.’

Above photo shows Jonathan Joven at the opening of an exhibit at the Utterly Gallery in Singapore.

The following year, he had another solo exhibit, at Kaida Gallery, wherein he repurposed tracing papers. The theme was “Anggulo”, Jonathan noted “Pinaghalo halo ko ang mga perspectives, kaya hayun, ang gulo!” Jonathan said with a chuckle.

Jonathan is grateful for all the opportunities that came his way and thankful to all the people who have helped him where he is right now. The succeeding exhibits he’s had in Singapore and in the US were dreams beyond his imagination, but they were dreams that he made real brought about by his rich life experiences, courage to overcome challenges, uncompromising values and the passion for what he does.

Above photo of Jonathan having a downtime during his New York exhibit at the Philippine Center

Of course, Jonathan is deeply indebted to Mr. Fernando Sena for believing in him and his talent, and equally thankful to the ERDA SaBaNa foundation who was there for him during his youth.

Jonathan is giving back to ERDA SaBaNa Foundation by donating one of his work. This artwork will have a silent auction using the Images of HOPE platform wherein all proceeds will go to the foundation.

Above is the artwork Bahagdan, 2ft x 4ft., by Jonathan Joven

The title of the artwork is Bahagdan (translated, percentage). It is a visual representation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and as Jonathan explained “Ang mga patong patong na kahong ito ang sumasagisag sa bahagdan ng bawat mamamayan o pamilyang Pilipino na magkaroon ng pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng pagkain at iba pang kagamitan sa kanya kanyang tahanan. Ito rin ay para makapaghanda sa mga suliraning kakaharapin, lalo na sa kasalukuyang pandemya.”

Jonathan was without hesitation to help the ERDA SaBaNa Foundation as he quoted what he learned early in life and said “Kailangang ibuka ang mga kamay mo para ikaw ay may makuha muli”.

Jonathan’s hands is not only gifted with the talent for drawing, but his hands appear to capture bountiful fortunes as he is blessed with a lovely wife with three children who have the time to play and enjoy as kids in the safety of their own home and are provided with good education to ensure a bright future.

Jonathan’s perspective in life is really rich and multi-dimensional. He’s seen it from all sides and has experienced it from down below and all the way to greater heights. A true inspiration to anyone that no matter what comes along, you are what you make of the perspective you are in.

Do visit http://www.zonev.org to view the artwork and participate in the silent auction on this piece. All proceeds will be for the benefit of ERDA SaBaNa Foundation. This is in line with Zone V Camera Club’s outreach project Images of H.O.P.E.