Mr. Tenéfold.
Yes, I know this is Long.
What do I want the reader to know?
I want them to know me, more importantly me now. I am Jason. My alias as an artist (if thats what you wanna call it) is TENeFOLD. This was derivative from my tag “TeNe” as i was deeply invested in the Chicago street art scene as well as graffiti in general. Everyone has an alias so why not me? “TeNe” started out as the title to the iconographic characters I created that drew inspiration from artists like: Kaws, Hebru Brantley, Sentrock, Jc Rivera and more.
The idea of me having a visual language that is recognizable as my own has always been an idea considered in everything i've created as a kid. It always had to feel like it fit into my Aesthetic. Not to say that I tried to push some corny trending visual aesthetic but something that just felt like me. Colors like warm pinks and Purples found in the sunsets being a common motif in many works i've made.
As I started to blur the lines of my art and became more multifaceted and tapping into music and photography or design I still wanted this sense of warmth to exude from anything I create. And most importantly I wanted it to feel true. If I create for the reason of Creation and wanting to communicate ideas that I have learned out of good intention I could never lead myself astray artistically.
My name?
My name is Jason Darius Teneyuque, son of Alex Martin Teneyuque and Rosa Yanira Lopez, a man of faith most importantly, and then a creative. I believe I was blessed with this gift of visual literacy as well as being able to convey messages I feel close to me as a tool to spread Gods gifts and love to others. Music and art to me throughout my 20 years, i've found to be truly healing in many different and so maybe I can be able to perpetuate that same motive within my own works. If one person cares about what I make or one person can connect to it or say that it truly made them feel some sort of way, then i'm more than grateful and my work has been fulfilled.
So?
As a human everyones unique individual experience and perspective matters and maybe mine may shine light and connect to someone else’s Ive been blessed to have a very good fruitful life, but it hasn’t been easy, and thats not to say i've suffered the most, theres many that have suffered far more than i can even imagine, but ive been blessed enough to live through very real human experiences that have shaped me to who I am and many of them were challenging to endure, but I am forever grateful to God for everything i've felt and experienced. Its a blessing to live a day without hurt or pain, a miracle even. Even so, I welcome any other challenge that combats my happiness with welcomed arms because they will make me stronger. Many creatives like to draw comparison to others that may resemble what they create rather than make an honest case for their own artistry and what makes them, them. I want this to be my argument for me as an artist.
What is important to me?
My relationships and identity as a God fearing man are most important to me. I wanna be able to make something my parents can look at and think “Wow! Maybe our kid is onto something and this wasn't for naught”. I wanna provide and care for those I love.
Is there anything that differs between my art and other artists?
My art is true and commentative about my life and things i've lived.
In the current world forum, we are encouraged to put ourselves first and regard ourselves as most important. I find that many musical artists in the common mainstream push this idea of self idolization in their accolades, possessions or character. I try to shy away from that while creating something that feels like me.
Im not tryna be selfabsorbed to say im above those that dont create the way I do, but its the difference to me that may mean Sumn More.
Regardless if anyone agrees, I agree with it.
Thats important to me. Im doing all this, (whatever this google doc turns into) only to be able to dissect what I truly think and “know”. Im not try to put this out for traction, truly, im tryna do right by me, to me, for me, as well as the benefit to those around me. I just want it to connect with one person. People in my family that i grow apart from, and friends that i grow apart from. Momentary relationships that have now passed, i take the good from each and want to show gratitude to each person that contributed into me being me.
Im alive!
Im healthy!
God bless,
I turned older than my brother who has passed, it shouldnt happen.
But im thankful that i experienced it and felt it.
All these things in my 21 years.
Im thankful.
Rest in peace Jason Aguilar, I love you, may God bless your soul!
