TUJ Art Justine Calayo is a Tokyo-based multimedia illustrator. Her work draws from her identity as a Filipino American from the islands. With her artwork, she hopes to tell stories of her culture and experiences that connect with and inspire her audience. Justine specializes in visual development and character design.
Selected Works
Diwata ng Paruparo (Diwata of Butterflies), 2023
Pastel pencil and watercolor on paper
37.5 x 31 cm
The Cave Spelunker, 2024
Watercolor, graphite, and pastel pencil on paper
30.5 x 23 cm
Dwende in their Dwellings, 2024
Watercolor, graphite, and pastel pencil on paper
30.5 x 23 cm
Artist Statement
My name is Justine Calayo and my dream is to bring otherworldly lands and characters to life with my multimedia illustrations. I am fascinated by fantasy, folklore, and myths, and believe their similarities across cultures are indicative of how all humans are innately connected and fundamentally the same. I hope for my art to preserve the stories that have fascinated me all my life, and for these works to make an impact in my community.
As a first generation Filipino American, I have always fascinated by the stories that form people. Growing up among members of the Filipino diaspora, I was exposed to superstitions and beliefs about spirits and otherworldly creatures like the dwende (gnome-like guardian spirits of the forest) or the aswang (vampiric shapeshifters that blend in average human society). To me, the stories that comprise Philippine folklore are the still-burning embers of a mystical era that survived colonial erasure. Folklore connects me to my family and supplies enriching subjects for artistic exploration. As a lifelong fan of fantasy, I believe folklore and myth are wonderful source material for stories that can excite and provoke the modern mind.
I believe art and by extension stories can be used to achieve a better understanding of oneself and the surrounding world. I want to create works that center themselves along my own personal narrative: that of a “third culture kid.” Art has always been about understanding the world around me. With my creations, I want to encourage those with similar backgrounds to embrace their cultures and their uniqueness. I want to tell them that their unique qualities are their strengths, no matter what anyone tells them. Ideally, my artwork would help those with a similar disconnect to realize their experiences and stories are valid. And in doing so, I hope to understand more about myself and my place in the world. I think my ideal work would encourage its audience to reflect upon the idea that everyone is part of a larger story, to think about their own place in the narrative, and to cherish the culture, traditions, and natural world around them.
As of this writing, I am merely an undergraduate art student who hopes to find a job that will allow her to stay in the city she has grown to love. I truly believe in the power of stories to inspire, connect, and transform people and hope to reflect this as a creative. I hope to create narrative-based artworks that preserve my and my family’s stories for generations to come.