Jo Galang: Making artworks that ‘move’ people

Artworks are so incredible that it can catch someone’s attention, immerse them in its beauty, and the next thing they know: they get hit right to their souls.

All this happens with no single word said. Perhaps it is the colors or the mood the artworks first give that captivate people. But it could be just the surface of a deeper intention. Some might probably forget but art always has a way of speaking to and touching the hearts of people; it is the eye-opening truth that Jo Galang learned as she engulfs herself into art.

Runs in the blood

Filipino-Canadian artist Jo Galang was only six years old when she discovered her love for art; starting to show her viewpoint through drawing as soon as she learned to hold a pencil. 

She and her six other siblings were raised in a Christian family by her parents, who are both accountants, in the Philippines. 

Jo was designated to work on anything related to visual arts in their family, helping her siblings whenever they needed a drawing or illustration for school. Although she was the artist-in-charge in their family, she has loved ones who are just as artistic as her.

Jo has an opera singer mom who used to perform Arias on stage and an uncle who could paint murals. Jo grew up watching all the performances of her mother and witnessed how her uncle, who is her mom’s younger brother, infuse life into the walls of his bedroom through his mural work.

“At this time, I was already into art but realized that I probably inherited the talent from this side of my family.”

Digging further into art led her to the discovery of not only more media and new styles but the power that art has. She knew about this from her former professor in college at the Far Eastern University, Danilo Dalena, a “free-spirited” and “radical” artist who pushed his students to give their utmost. 

It was in his class that Jo enjoyed learning the importance of composition, value, and color in art, and to see outside the box. The lessons and motivations she acquired from that class are imprinted on her mind, especially that huge realization about art that her professor made her understand:

“He opened my eyes to the fact that art could move people.”

Jo graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1977, and equipped by the teachings she obtained in the university, she set out her professional career as a graphic designer at the Manila Hotel. Jo was already married when she worked at the hotel and not long after she got the job, she had to leave as per her doctor’s advice as she found out that she was pregnant with her first child.

She and her husband wanted their firstborn to have a better future which they saw in Canada, so in 1981, she and her son migrated there after her husband left the Philippines in the late 70s.

‘Land of opportunity’

“Living in Canada means living in a land of opportunity.”

This was how Jo described her life when she migrated to Canada. Better opportunities that she wished for her son to have were also given to her in her new home country: opportunity to achieve her goals, to be free, to be the best version of herself, and to experience whatever life has in store for her without having to compromise her beliefs and convictions.

Opposite to her life back in the Philippines, living in a foreign land made her be independent and self-sufficient as they do not have anyone in Canada who will do things for them.

It seems that Canada did not only open doors of opportunity for Jo, but also so many things to enjoy. That was what she actually did upon arriving in the country: explore her new surroundings by just driving across the country, staying for a few days in different parts of British Columbia, swimming in the lakes, going on a picnic with her family, camping, taking the ferry, and riding the train, among other activities.

“My first days in Canada were spent enjoying and getting to know this beautiful country.”

It was a completely different environment for Jo and her family, in spite of that, the Filipino culture remains.

Jo shared that inside their home, Filipino dishes are always served on the table. Whenever they have gatherings, they make sure that they include food from their homeland in the menu, which, Jo said, even their guests who are not Filipinos, savor. Meanwhile, Sundays for them are allotted to church.

Artist in Canadian graphic design industry

Almost everything about moving to Canada went well for Jo, but it became a bit challenging when she began searching for her first Canadian job.

She aimed to continue her art career in Canada, but looking for a job in the line of her work became “one big struggle” for her due to her lack of Canadian experience. To earn this, she applied at a McDonald’s restaurant and worked there for a short period of time. 

Beginnings are not always well-ordered, but if one persists in working harder even after multiple failed attempts, it would be impossible to have a no-win result. Because of her resolve, it did not take long for Jo to disembark in the Canadian graphic design industry, working as a graphic artist for a number of family-owned businesses and, later on, for the printing industry.

“As I gained experience, I found myself working in the printing industry, troubleshooting files and preparing them for printing. During this time, I gained the skill and experience in using the computer and the tools in creating digital artworks.”

“This is where I first understood the printing process.”

After years of working for other printing companies, Jo thought: why not go beyond from being the graphic artist of other firms to becoming the artist and the head of her own graphic design business? Being geared up by the experiences she gained in the printing industry gave Jo the capability to build up Excel Design, Inc. in 1993.

As a new business in town, Excel Design, Inc. started off slow, with it struggling to find new clients — but starting from the lowest level was not a new thing for the owner of it. 

Again, Jo strived hard to pull up her business and make its brand known. Coupled with referrals from previous clients, Jo’s business eventually earned the trust of new clients from all over Vancouver.

Excel Design, Inc. gave Jo “more freedom without the hassle of being under anybody’s scrutiny” on her works.

“Although the job always entails deadlines, I believe this is something that is needed to encourage and inspire me to be more productive and better as an artist.”

Apart from having the independence on her works, Jo can finally have a moment for something she has been longing to do: to spend time painting.

World in her canvas

Jo hardly held a paintbrush nor sat in front of her easel before. Through the years she was with her full-time job, the opportunity to paint came very infrequent, but with Excel Design, Inc., she can now manage all her roles at the same time without having to be drawn away anymore from her goal to make an impact on people’s lives through her art.

“Art that moves people is my intent in creating art.”

She wanted people to realize how blessed they are to be able to enjoy the intrinsic beauty of nature. Masterfully capturing it, Jo paints with a characteristic passion that soulfully radiates true-to-life light and color. Her broad subjects range from landscapes and flowers to wildlife and figures. Through her works, she wanted the viewers to feel the same excitement she gets whenever she is out and about, admiring the simple yet delightful gifts that nature gives to people.

“I am fascinated by the power of art, and how it can dramatically change the way we see our environment. That’s the magic behind the paintbrush: art offers us a chance to see our world differently, from an artist’s point of view.”

“Creating art empowers me to effectively convey the beauty and magnificence of everyday life. My goal is to capture the moments in my life, using art as a way to see the world with a more colorful viewpoint. The emotional connection to my daily experiences, exploring the beauty of nature through landscape and floral painting, as well as animal portraiture has become the sole drive behind everything I create.”

Jo showed more of this when she joined in the How Green Is Your Muse (HGIYM)? exhibit two years ago.

The event held at the Surrey Art Gallery became an eventful exhibit for her as it was not only her first time to exhibit in the gallery but it also exposed her to a different atmosphere where people were “truly engaged” with the artworks. It was an exhilarating view, she said, to see both the artists and the audience expressing what they felt about nature.

“I again met people I had known from many years who I didn’t see for a long time. It was also a great opportunity to meet and make new friends.”

She plans to allot more attention to her paintings and partake in more art exhibits in the future. After the HGIYM exhibit, she made exposure in two online galleries and even signed with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). 

Founded in 1941, the FCA has members throughout Canada and Chapters in Alberta and British Columbia. Its Federation Gallery holds juried exhibitions of works by its members twice a month and three juried international open shows every year, based on the FCA’s website.

Jo said their art group will resume with its activities, of course with their annual exhibit, once the pandemic is over. While this has yet to happen, she is currently preparing her canvas for her next pieces.

Artwork that will “move” others is what Jo wanted to carry through whenever she works in front of her easel. However, the impact she wanted to create on her pieces seems to not only hit the people who would see it — it reflected back to the person who created it. Jo’s own art was a huge influence on her; it fulfills her, makes her experience new things in life, and most importantly, inspires her to thrive more especially as a visual artist.