Jemmie Ponting (He/Him)

Artist Biography

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Studies, 4rd year.

Jemmie Ponting is a Filipino-Canadian artist whose work explores the intersections of cultural identity, migration, and personal narrative. Born in the Philippines and moving to Canada at age nine, Ponting began making art in elementary school, initially drawn to Renaissance and Baroque paintings, though at the time, these works were simply seen as beautiful paintings to recreate. Over time, Ponting shifted from replicating European works to creating pieces that reflect his own cultural experience, particularly as an immigrant child. Using acrylics, he blends Filipino identity with European techniques, exploring themes of belonging and placemaking in art. His practice celebrates both his Filipino identity and Western influences, inviting viewers to reflect on their own cultural journey growing up in Canada.

Seated Rhea

Seated Rhea is a portrait of my friend, a Filipino undergrad student studying to be a doctor in Alberta, Canada. Captured shortly after she moved into her new apartment, the painting shows her resting on the couch, exhausted. Inspired by classic seated nude paintings by Titian and Manet, I aimed to create a portrait that incorporates a woman and the objects defining her identity. However, my intention was not to sexualize or subject her to the male gaze but rather to represent a modern Filipino woman navigating her way through Western society, embodying strength, intelligence, and individuality.