Ntra. Sra. de Guia by Alain Austria

Jose Alain Austria (b. 1975 Manila) is a visual artist, amateur photographer and college professor.


In 2008, he commenced Jungian psychotherapy and discovered among other things--an unanswered "call" to be a visual artist. This unanswered calling , this repression of the creative spirit in him was in fact one of the aggravating factors in his struggle with depression.

Unhindered by his lack of academic training, he began to churn out pencil sketches, inks, pastels until he became confident enough to join his first group exhibit early in 2009. What started out as a therapeutic past-time has become a "sacred vocation".

Along the way he discovered a second medium of artistic expression: digital photography. At first he considered taking pictures as a mere hobby, and the camera a toy for the big boys. In this medium has become an extension of his visual idiom---an artistic second language of sorts. In fact in terms of numbers, it has overtaken his paintings and illustrations as his major preoccupation for 2009.

In sharp contrast with his polychromatic drawings and paintings, his photography is noticeably austere and monochromatic--mostly black and white (though he ventures too in the realm of color). The former seems to be figurative and abstract evocations of his inner world; the latter somber reflections on external reality reduced to mere light, shadow and texture.

As of the the present, the artist has participated in four art-shows:
GROUP EXHIBITS

"Otherworldly Journeys". Mag:Net,Bonifacio Global City, November 04-29, 2009.

"Glimpses of the Soul". LRI Design Plaza, Bel-Air, Makati City, October 27-30, 2009

"Soul Seasons". Mag:Net Bonifacio Global City, May 13 - June 5, 2009

"Love Deconstructed. Artgallery19b Quezon City, February 12 - March 5, 2009.

and so far has completed two b/w photographic series