Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Justin Nuyda: A Visionary in Art and Nature

The late Justin “Tiny” Nuyda is widely celebrated as a pioneering figure in Philippine contemporary art. His works left a lasting impact on the art community. Nuyda was also a passionate lepidopterist (butterfly specialist), traveler, and thinker, whose rich life experiences inspired his artworks. A retrospective exhibit, “Justin Nuyda: Origin Story” held at Hapag at the Balmori Suites in Makati, was a collaborative tribute that combined art, food, and the legacy of a man who saw the world through both vibrant colors and delicate butterfly wings.

A Father, An Artist: Cherished Memories from Ayni Nuyda

To understand the man behind the art, we turn to his daughter, Ayni Nuyda, who shared touching memories of her father. For Ayni, her father was not only a master artist but also an exceptional individual. 

“One of my most cherished memories of my father is cooking with him. He would make scrumptious Bicolano dishes, and I would watch him in the kitchen,” Ayni fondly recalls. She was also privileged to witness him paint in his studio every day. It was a sight that left a profound influence on her growing up.

Ayni’s memories extend beyond the canvas and the kitchen. She reminisces about the artistic community that surrounded her father. “My father’s peers were like second parents to me. They were pillars of contemporary Philippine art, yet I saw them as family,” she shares. Sketching sessions at home and conversations about art and culture over food were regular occurrences. It made art an inseparable part of her upbringing.

Inspirations: Nature, Books, and the Art Community

Nuyda’s creative process was deeply shaped by his environment. “The art community played a significant role in his artistic journey. He thrived on interaction and collaboration,” says Ayni. His love for nature, specifically butterflies, was another pivotal influence. Nuyda hiked mountains across the Philippines, from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, in pursuit of what he called “winged jewels.” This passion profoundly affected his perspective and approach to his art.

Books also played a role in shaping his worldview. “My father was a very well-read individual,” Ayni explains. The themes and concepts from the books he read often found their way into his work. He blended intellectual and emotional depth with visual elements. Moreover, Nuyda’s generation, particularly the socio-cultural movements of the 1960s to the 1980s, left a mark on his art. His works reflect the social landscape of those eras, making them timeless pieces that resonate with both personal and collective narratives.

Mindscapes: Nuyda’s Creative Process

When it came to his art, Justin Nuyda approached his work with intention and impulse. His series, Search Mindscape, encapsulated his creative journey—landscapes of the mind shaped by experiences in nature, from mountain hikes to moments of contemplation. “He had a very clear vision of what he wanted to lay out on the canvas, but once the brush touched the surface, the process became fluid,” Ayni says. This duality of structure and spontaneity became the hallmark of his technique.

Nuyda’s art was not just a reflection of his external experiences but also of his inner world. His works often mirrored his personality—thoughtful, instinctive, and always evolving. Each painting became a portal into his mind, where landscapes of memory and emotion merged into dynamic expressions on canvas.

Art as an Echo of His Philosophy

Nuyda’s art was more than just an aesthetic pursuit; it mirrored his worldview. He believed in the power of connection and collaboration—principles that guided both his personal relationships and his art. “Art should not exist in isolation,” Nuyda often said, and his works were a testament to this belief. His love for nature, particularly butterflies, extended to his environmentalism. His travels across Europe and the Philippines influenced his artistic style.

“He had a deep appreciation for relationships, experiences, and the environment,” Ayni notes. His art and life were intertwined. Each piece offers a glimpse into his introspective nature and his passion for capturing the world around him.

Preserving a Legacy: The Search Mindscape Foundation

Nuyda’s legacy is preserved not only through his art but also through the Search Mindscape Foundation, which was established in his honor. The foundation aims to provide a platform for artists to explore their creative potential. “We want to encourage other artists to find themselves through their art, just as my father did,” Ayni explains. By organizing exhibitions and projects, the foundation hopes to continue Nuyda’s vision of fostering creativity and collaboration in the art world.

The recent collaboration with Hapag, which combined Nuyda’s artworks with a curated dining experience, was a fitting tribute to his legacy. The exhibit was not only a celebration of his paintings but also of his love for cooking and the relationships he cherished throughout his life.

Curating Justin Nuyda’s Art: A Multisensory Tribute

Curator Stephanie Frondoso was instrumental in putting together the Justin Nuyda retrospective at Hapag, where the fusion of art and dining paid homage to the artist’s life and work. “What struck me most about Justin’s art is that each work is a journey in itself. His paintings, especially the Mindscape series, take you through a vibrant, dreamlike world that reflects his inner landscape,” says Frondoso.

Frondoso emphasizes that Nuyda’s art invites viewers to connect with their own imagination. “Each piece of his artwork is an immersive experience. You don’t just look at it; you become part of the scene. His use of color and form creates a dynamic conversation between the painting and the viewer, allowing for multiple interpretations depending on where you are in your life.”

One of the highlights of the exhibit was the blending of Nuyda’s artwork with a curated menu by Hapag, drawing inspiration from his favorite dishes and his own love for food. “We wanted to offer a multisensory experience,” shares Frondoso. “Food and art were Justin’s passions, so we felt it was only fitting to combine the two. Guests were able to engage with his art while savoring dishes that were close to his heart.”

Frondoso also carefully selected which works to display and how to arrange them in the space. “Justin’s Mindscapes were a key feature of the exhibition. These works, which span decades, showcase the evolution of his style and thoughts over time. The large paintings were placed in the main dining area, where they could be viewed while guests enjoyed their meals, while the smaller, more intimate pieces were showcased in quieter corners, allowing for personal reflection.”

Frondoso collaborated with fellow artists and friends of Justin Nuyda to curate special additions to the exhibit, including portraits of the artist sketched by his peers over the years. “The portrait collection allowed us to see how Justin’s image evolved in the eyes of the people closest to him, from his early days as an artist to his later years. It added another layer of intimacy to the exhibit.”

One particularly moving element was the video montage featuring Nuyda’s butterfly collection, which Frondoso said was a tribute to his passion for lepidoptery. “Justin’s fascination with butterflies wasn’t just a hobby—it was part of who he was. He saw beauty in nature’s smallest creatures and captured that with a unique blend of scientific precision and artistic interpretation.”

The Evolution of Nuyda’s Art

Nuyda’s art evolved over time, both in style and themes. In his early years, his works were more geometric and linear, influenced by the Brutalist movement in architecture and his fascination with science fiction. However, as he traveled and explored more of the world, his color palette expanded, and his techniques became more experimental. “As he hiked more mountains and met new people, his vision broadened, and his art reflected that,” Ayni explains.

In his later years, the works of Justin Nuyda became more introspective, reflecting his personal journey and the childlike curiosity that remained with him until his passing. His brushwork became more refined, but his essence remained consistent—capturing the world through a lens that combined both the seen and the imagined.

A Lasting Impact: The Legacy of Justin Nuyda

Justin Nuyda’s contributions to Philippine art go beyond his canvases. His legacy is one of connection—between nature and art, between artists and their communities, and between his family and the wider world. Nyuda’s butterfly collection, one of the largest in the world, stands as a testament to his passion for nature and discovery. The art, meanwhile, continues to inspire and challenge, reflecting a man who was always searching—both within and beyond himself. As his daughter Ayni reflects, “My father’s works are nothing but an extension of himself and what he wants to become. His art is his means to express and deliver certain aspects and aspirations that his physicality cannot reach.”

Photography by Kieran Punay

Read more: Hapag and AYÀ: A Haven for Filipino Craftsmanship and Reimagined Fine Dining

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