ArtistSpace and Joey Velasco Foundation Inc. present Mga Huling Hapunan sa Unang Pagkakataon: Tatlong Obra ni Joey Velasco, a solo exhibition of renowned “heartist” Joey Velasco (March 18, 1967 to July 20, 2010). It features three of his beloved paintings, which show a recasting of The Last Supper, as well as past works that reveal the plights of the afflicted and the disadvantaged, and Jesus in the contemporary times. The exhibit runs until May 23 at ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, in Makati City.
The story of The Last Supper in the Bible is probably one of the most meaningful and important events in Scripture. To Christians, it is not just a meal, but a moment of revelation that heralded the fate of Jesus and his disciples.
The Last Supper’s profound significance was what inspired Velasco to create three obras depicting Jesus breaking bread—not with his disciples but with common Filipino folk—during the last five years of his life. Using his creativity, Joey reinvented the scene to reveal his own story of hope and healing. In the process, he created Hapag ng Pag-asa (Banquet of Hope), Hapag ng Pag-ibig (Banquet of Love) and Kalakbay (Compatriot).
Hapag ng Pag-asa reveals the portraits of 12 street children who invited Jesus Christ to share a meal. These children may not have enough, but they have hope in the presence of Jesus. Moreover, Joey painted this scene to remind his own children of the importance of food and of putting Christ in the center of their lives.
Hapag ng Pag-ibig is the sequel to the previous work and depicts the children in a safe haven where they are cared for. Painted during the time when shelters were being constructed to house the families of the children, Joey was said to render color to each child’s portrait when each unit was being made.
Kalakbay shows Jesus Christ sharing a meal with local farmers from Central Philippines. In the dark of the night, these farmers who have long suffered feudal injustices, find comfort in Jesus’ company.
The exhibition of these paintings and other past works proves to be more than just a showcase of Joey’s best obras. It is an eye-opener to the plight of the impoverished, suppressed and afflicted. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of Jesus Christ living in our midst.
Joey Velasco is a former Salesian seminarian, businessman-turned-visual artist and philanthropist. Known for his Christian-themed works, he called himself a heartist, or an artist who creates art from the heart, since he did not receive academic training as a painter.
As for his genre, he considered himself a “socio- spiritual realist”, as he created artworks to reveal the realities of life. He published a book, titled They Have Jesus, which is a biography of the lives of the children in his famous Hapag ng Pag-asa. After his death, his family and friends founded the Joey Velasco Foundation, which supports the families in the Hapag-GK Community, and aims at enriching the lives of underserved communities through the works of Velasco and the transformative power of the arts.
Proceeds of this exhibition will go to the foundation to support the Hapag Village in Amparo, North Caloocan City.