Breaking Walls, Building Worlds: In Conversation with Jakestudyos

Jakestudyos grew up in the densely populated corridors of Manggahan, Pasig in the Philippines – a country in that a vibrant, yet often overlooked, scene full of creativity thrives, a testament to the resilience and artistic fervor of its inhabitants. It is here that we find Jakestudyos, an artist who has navigated through a tumultuous journey, one marked by personal challenges and a relentless pursuit of artistic expression.

Discovering artists like Jakestudyos epitomizes the very essence of the web3 ethos. For the first time, artists from less privileged backgrounds are granted the means to monetize and showcase their work to a global audience. Jake’s ability to sustain his life through his art embodies the very dream that has drawn many of us into this expansive cosmos. 

From his earliest memories, Jakestudyos was drawn to the world of art. His childhood was steeped in the colors and forms of street art, a medium that served not just as a backdrop to his everyday life but as a source of inspiration. His journey into art wasn’t a straightforward path; rather, it was a path marked by familial expectations and personal struggles. Urged by his family to pursue architecture, he found himself at a crossroads between societal expectations and his own artistic inclinations. 

However, the pivotal moment in Jakestudyos’ journey came with the diagnosis of dysthymia in November 2020. It was a time of introspection and healing, where art became not just a form of expression but a sanctuary. His art, deeply rooted in the aesthetics of street art and the hand-painted billboards of his youth, began to take on new dimensions. It became a voice for his struggles, a canvas for his resilience. 

In embracing the digital art world and NFTs, Jakestudyos found a new avenue for his creativity. He is minting NFTs on the Tezos blockchain, this choice was driven by accessibility and a commitment to sustainability. Jakestudyos’ foray into the world of NFTs is a story of empowerment and transformation. His art started to find a global audience, enabling him to contribute to his household and sustain himself even amidst economic fluctuations. His work, deeply personal and reflective of his journey transcending geographic and cultural boundaries. 

The essence of Jakestudyos’ art lies in its authenticity and its capacity to mirror the human experience. His works are a reminder of the power of art to heal, to connect, and to transform. Jakestudyos’ body of work is a vibrant pastiche of contemporary life and urban expression, a digital homage to the street art that pervades the everyday experience of many in the developing world. His visual language is an amalgamation of color, form, and cultural narrative that speaks to the soul of the Filipino streets – alive with energy and a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. 

The aesthetic of his artwork is defined by bold lines and a palette that defies the somber reality of urban decay, instead, embracing a vivid spectrum that captures the essence of a generation’s scream for recognition and a whisper for change. Each piece is a chapter in a story, a fragment of life rendered with a mix of irony and earnestness. The figures in his work, often portrayed with disproportionate, cartoonish bodies, are emblematic of a society steeped in technology- hybrids of human experience and the digital personas we adopt.

Learn more about Jake in the following Interview.