Title:Would You Hate Me If I'm Free
Medium:water mixable oil paint
Size:3ft x 4ft
Model:Froilan Calayag
Collection of Mr.E

In this painting, modern social illusionist Jon Jaylo depicts the philosophical concept of freedom, not only in a political point of view, but also in a larger, albeit deeper perspective.The “Malaya ka ba” characters floating amidst the beautifully, hand painted background were purposely written to question our so called belief on individual freedom. It somehow asks if we are really free in the purest form. He believes that politically and democratically speaking, we are not free.On the deeper perspective that was mentioned above, the artist believes that as humans, we are fragile and susceptible to the earthly temptations of power and material possessions. Not just money, but of a lot of things also. It could be vanity or even excessive love for your partner and yourself. We may not be aware of it, but we are simply marionettes of our own addictions. It controls us, eradicating our goals and silently creeping into the inmost cores of our own principles to taint it black and eventually destroy it. However, if the painting is to be studied, it is not actually a display of pessimism. As a matter of fact, its main message speaks of hope. It is highly noticeable that a white dove flees beside the puppet, biting the string and causing one arm to break free. Jaylo interprets this winged creature as a symbol of innate human chastity. According to the artist, despite the mud of corruption constantly consuming us, a small part still struggles for its sole existence. And that tiny shard is our purest side molded by good. It was what we were before we have entered this world of sin. And hopefully the artist would like to say that this form would remain as our embodiment when we leave this material plane of existence and abandon our earthen flesh. We are not meant to be marionettes. In fact, as we were born into this world, our creator had already given us a wonderful gift...... it is what we call....our own free will.