Jose Drummond arrived at Macau Art Garden and it was immediately clear why the man in front of me was the talk of the town for his wit, flair and joie de vivre. A dedicated artist who clearly knows the path he wants to take, a DJ with an integrated love for music and a filmmaker whose vision defies odd and artistic barriers embodies all the savoir-faire of the creative world. Identifying himself as an artist first and foremost, Jose Drummond is a talented man who has ventured into all forms of art and always surpasses expectations.
How long have you been in Macau for?
I arrived in Macau in 1994. That was 20 years ago (nostalgic pause).
What was your first impression of Macau when you arrived?
It was a turbulent time, but it has evolved so much since then… It looked like a completely different city from what you see around you now. It was such an intense time. There is no doubt that Macau is definitely an interesting place. The transformation is fascinating. I don’t necessarily agree with everything but the sociological aspect of it is just amazing. From creating opportunities and paving new roads for everyone, it’s very interesting. As an artist, I feel that there is a lot of potentials, especially when it comes to creation.
Let’s talk about your creative journey. Can you tell me about your early beginnings?
I was already an artist before I arrived in Macau. I had already identified myself as such and my classical formation was painting. I took a Master’s degree in New York and then my art practice completely changed. I shifted from painting to landscape media. I started using cameras and a little bit of performance. I still believe my works are still very painterly. Colors are a crucial part of my aesthetic journey and at the back of my mind that stands out.
What was the artistic climate when you ventured as an artist? Any influences that had an impact on your thinking and principles?
That definitely happened in Lisbon for me. Whichever the career path, you always have someone that you put on a pedestal that helps and shapes the way you think. And I owed that particular person the way I thought about art.
In these past 10 years, my work has been an adventure of finally finding my own vocabulary. I don’t see anyone else doing the same thing, even internationally. Maybe there are some trends that I can be associated with, but not really with the specific thing that I’m creating, a product as clearly as a hybrid between the East and the West. I am very much influenced by both cultures. The European and Oriental influence – these two places are merged together.
Are you working on a specific project?
I am working on two books right now about my visual work. And yes – I also DJ (laughs). I actually play for Pacha Macau. I am going to do a back to back with another DJ there this upcoming weekend.
Everything is intertwined in my life. These aspects overlap from music, arts, visuals, films and more. I am finally revealing my true form with my interest in poetry, music and it expands to artworks. I am also working on films in the context of fine arts. Some of them were shown in a theater but more often produced for fine arts, museums, and galleries.
Would you say that Music plays a big role in your art life?
Definitely! Music plays a big part in it. Music came naturally to me. I like sequence and digital music and of those which I learned on my own. It was immediate to me the emotional attachment to sounds.
Is there a layer of your career that you’d want to explore more?
Macau lacks curators and I am also venturing into that path because an artist definitely needs one. We understand the need for that particular role. I believe every artist needs a curator. It’s like helping someone and the function is to help the artist because the artist is too close to his work. It’s important to have someone actually understand and see the other layers of showing it and exhibiting it.
The first thing that I associate myself with is as an artist, and that’s basically who I am. I can be described as someone who likes being a DJ immensely and interested in curating but first and foremost, an artist.
How do you manage your time with your multi-faceted lifestyle?
Every profession is the same. I think even big companies require their employees to have a neo-liberal aspect and to be more creative and to be open to working more hours. It’s becoming like this for everyone. The artist is the same. When I’m preparing for the show, it’s the same as organizing a huge event and that’s completely different. My medium right now is moving images and it works closely with cinema and it ends up being collaborations because of the association with other factors surrounding a certain project.
What’s in store for you this year?
I intend to finish my book and curate James Chu’s exhibition this year and then we are working on a festival dedicated to video arts. The population of Macau is getting more interested in cultural events and that’s a good thing. The music festival, for example, had such a great reception.
I also had a show recently in Hong Kong. My work was selected for the Sovereign Asia awards. I was the first Macau artist to be in the finalist which is fantastic. I think people who are actually doing something about art, are really coming together.
Macau has been your home. Do you like any specific places in Macau?
I love Hac Sa Beach. There was a time when I was living in Taipa that I would frequently go there to read and relax. I think that in such a small city it’s difficult to find a place to clear your mind and I always found that it’s really important. We live such a hectic life. People don’t sometimes realize that we become more and more attached to our devices and it’s very important to slow down and detach yourself digitally. Give yourself the opportunity to connect with nature and other things.
Where would you take a friend out who is visiting Macau for the first time?
I’d definitely take that person to a hotpot dinner. I find it really tasty in Chinese cuisine. And I think one of the great things in Macau is the variety of good restaurants. I still think that the whole area of Senado Square and Ruins of St. Paul are truly unique and still retains the old charm. That would be interesting to a visitor. You definitely need to go to one of the casinos, it’s embedded in Macau’s identity. It’s very different from Las Vegas. The buildings are all fascinating as is. I think that at the same time there are interesting things that are woven together with the casinos. The way Macau is evolving itself all condensed in this space is incredible.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to venture as an artist?
I think to be an artist you need to be very very dedicated. You need to be a dedicated person. You need to believe and have perseverance. Success is a strange word. You can be successful today and the next day you’re not anymore and that’s a completely different outcome. I always say this to my students. Many artists are known at the end of their lives. All of us have some kind of destiny if we think in that way so the most important thing is to practice perseverance and acceptance. Life is not as easy as we hope it to be.
