Mainly known as a writer, Manila-based artist JJ Duque gave his pens (and colored pencils) new roles as he transformed doodles of circles and other basic shapes into meticulous works of art. He spends hours upon hours creating these works freehand, without any underdrawing, just flowing.

While he is known and identified by his large abstract drawings, JJ also expresses himself with various media. His mixed-media works provide a different look from what most people are used to, but he stays true to his artistic philosophy, with freedom of expression and stream of consciousness playing a massive role in his process.

His works have reached international shores and have been displayed in New York City. One of his signature works hangs proudly in the lobby of the Picasso Boutique Hotel in Makati.

JJ has joined multiple group shows and has had only three solo shows throughout his 15-year career at the ArtistSpace of Ayala Museum (2016), Altro Mondo Creative Space (2024), and most recently at Corso Como 88, where he also launched his art as fashion pieces in a creative collaboration with the luxurious Corso Como 88 store.

His patient and arduous art style allows him to complete very few pieces in a year, taking him a while to build a collection for a show and making his works a rare find for collectors.

JJ is also known as the brains behind South Arts Festival, which started as an art fair and has now grown into a brand that promotes starting artists by allowing them to exhibit in non-gallery spaces. Through the South Arts Festival, he has used art to champion the causes for women’s rights, child development, gay pride, and breast cancer awareness. His art has raised funds to support the incarcerated women, probationers, and parolees of Parañaque City.

He is also a Visual Artists of Parañaque (VAP) member.