MUSES OF BOHOVEE                                                                                                                   

In this project, I use photography as a tool in creating SMALL SIZE PASTEL PORTRAITS which represent my honest sexual desire and attraction to MALE BEAUTY, being a Filipino QUEER-GAY artist. This foregrounds the concept of MUSE, wherein these pastel portraits in 5R/8R sizes glorify not only the Homoerotic Gaze/fantasies, but also the great inspirations of Bohovee. As part of the process, it involves an organic activity where I scout for prospective models around the area where I live, or even in some places where I spend a field trip or an immersion. These potential non-professional models are mostly “Blue Collar workers” – construction workers, delivery boys, helpers, and also those gorgeous PROVINCIAL BOYS whom I encounter/meet in Manila and outside the city. Also, some potential models could be professionals like artist, musician, photographer, and even handsome foreigner I meet personally in the Philippines or outside the country.

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In the process of scouting for models, the most difficult and challenging part is every time I approach my prospect (who is a stranger) and briefly discuss the project, upon their level of understanding. Thus, I simply introduce my self as an artist who does exhibitions and show sample finished portraits through my android phone. These sample portraits (done in fine renditions) make them somehow curious and impressed. In this scenario, I become extremely sensitive on observing their reactions and body language, which I can easily sense if I was able to get their trust. As an exchange, I offer them some in kind amount of talent fee, but for others I do a live sketch of their portrait or even a small finished pastel portrait as a token. For me, the risky encounter and negotiations involved appear as closely parallel to the critical engagement that occurs in performance art.

As a creative extension of my performance art practice, this project intends to subvert the “Male Gaze” and immortalize these pictures of desires into a greater level of appreciation. The setup of photographs (e.g. photo album), finished pastel portraits, fetishized objects (e.g. briefs underwear with texts/photo print) attempt to mimic a “Personalized Altar” that gives an impression of a sneak peak to Bohovee’s unique magical journey. 

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Furthermore, the final stage in this project reveals a performative video. Here, Bohovee shows a titillating performance of seduction (through Bohovee’s Variant/Persona in full costume), singing her own composed jingles or magic chants. It also highlights some sizzling BTS “Behind The Scene” photoshoot with the model and voyeuristic footages from the on-site immersion. 

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These IMMORTALIZED PICTURES of boys in pastel pieces are heavily influenced  by the 90’s Filipino gay culture -- bold movies and gay magazines. In addition, it’s also propelled by the impact of mainstream social media like Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter, as I was frequently exposed to Online Posts -- viewing UNLIMITED PHOTOS of naked boys/hunks that seemed sexually suggestive in daring underwear poses.  In this context, I am interested on transforming this obsession to re-creating my own version of the IDEALIZED, which is instead rooted in the actual experiences I had through Bohovee’s adventure or BOHOVEENTURE with the muses in different local places, and significantly deal with underlying issues about DESIRE, SELF-IMAGE, and THE BODY.