ORLANDO, FLA.- JEFRĖ: Points of Connection, the first solo exhibition of Florida-based artist JEFRĖ whose large-scale work has transformed public spaces in the U.S. and abroad, is on view at the Orlando Museum of Art. Through January 3rd, 2021, the exhibition presents 40 works across the variety of mediums including sculpture, video, and site-specific installation. The exhibition is presented by AdventHealth and Dr. Phillips Charities. Additional support comes from The Mall at Millenia and Monster XP.

Designed to be a touchless, interactive exhibition, Points of Connection introduces JEFRĖ's past projects alongside a series of works exemplifying his current studio practice. Across six galleries, visitors are guided by the stanzas of the artist’s poem "Heart to Heart" as they interact with immersive installations exploring his identity as a second-generation immigrant, history with heart disease, and creative work as a city place maker.

The exhibition debuts JEFRĖ’s new series “Baks” that was inspired by the artist’s experience working in cities around the world. Created for this exhibition, “Baks” is a set of polished stainless- steel sculptures representing specific emotions associated with different cities. The heads of these statues, replaced with a block or a “box” of a various form and sizes, form a perfect skyline, emphasizing the exhibition’s theme of connection and unity.

The same ideas are expressed in “Collective Consciousness,” another series in the exhibition that features fifteen acrylic heads illuminated with neon words lighting up the gallery space with messages in different international languages.

Site-specific installation “Rice Field,” created using expired white and brown rice, explores the artist’s identity as a second-generation immigrant.

In the most personal part of the exhibition, JEFRĖ recounts his experience as a survivor of a heart attack in his 30s, using medical images and devices: pills and prescription bottles, EKG monitors, and heart stents transformed into aesthetic objects. Soundscapes, provided by Grammy award-winning artist Ayo The Producer, enhance the immersive exhibition experience.

As in his public work where JEFRĖ experiments with new materials and technologies, aiming to activate public spaces and bring people together through a shared experience, his museum exhibition seeks to illuminate our common humanity across age, gender, ethnicity and nationality.

JEFRĖ (born Jefre Figueras Manuel in 1972, Chicago, IL) is a Filipino-American artist currently residing in Central Florida. He has created numerous site-specific artworks in major cities around the world including "Reflection" (2010) in Philadelphia's Unity Plaza, "The Beacon" and "Code Wall" (2014) in Orlando and "Heaven’s Gate" (2019) in Manila. He is currently working on a 24-story high standing figure with arm raised, titled "The Victor." Located at a bridge connecting the cities of Pasig and Quezon in the Philippines, the sculpture is expected to be completed in 2020 and will be one of the world’s tallest artworks.