Blending Fashion & Art
Lensman MJ Suayan started his foray into photography capturing images of l i fe on the st reet s. Eventually, his love for the art found its way to fashion. Suayan studied photography under Raymund Isaac, Manny Librodo, Emily Soto and Niccolo Cosme at the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging. Since then, Suayan’s works have been featured in several local and international publications such as Vogue Italia’s PhotoVogue.
Titled The Unknown Images, Suayan’s forthcoming exhibit will be a collaboration with a number of established local and international fashion and jewelry designers, among them are Rocky Gathercole, Albert Andrada, Ken Samudio, Amir Sali, Ditta Sandico, Ann Ong, Aze Ong, Chito Vijandre, Herbert Custodio, Kim Gan, Cherry Veric, Helena Alegre, Luis Ablaza, Jun Jun Cambe, Cen Honotomen, Don Cristobal and Jaggy Glarino.
When asked to expound about the message he wishes to convey in this exhibit, Suayan shares, “Our self-image is constantly bombarded from every angle. People, fashion and media industries tell us constantly how we should look, creating subconscious beliefs about who we are. Those opinions become the dream of what we should be without our conscious knowledge of permission. With images of ideal beauty, it is easy to forget that those standards are arbitrary and subjective.”
Viewers of Suayan’s exhibit will notice the dark undertones of his work. This darkness may have its roots in Suayan’s experience with personal tragedy. It was the loss of his two daughters that led Suayan to the world of photography. It is perhaps the realization that life in all its lack and sadness can still be beautiful. The glitch, the noise, the blurriness and the imperfect touches he applies in his pictures emphasize that beauty isn’t about perfection.
The Unknown Images fashion and fine art photography exhibition by MJ Suayan will be from Oct. 19 to Nov. 5 at the Pineapple Lab Gallery (6071 Palma St. Rockwell Drive, Makati City). Cocktails on the Oct. 19 opening night will be at 7 p.m.