We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jose Calabres a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jose, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I think this question has many answers, not just one. Perhaps the answer is millions, because “a purpose” doesn’t exist as a general rule, but rather each person has a different purpose that we often confuse with other more social things, like the responsibility of having a job, a family, or any other things that are actually measured by others and not by ourselves. I suppose that as social animals, we always try to belong to the herd and be accepted by it, which always leads us to seek acceptance in any way we can. But that doesn’t give us purpose.
I believe that we should first understand what a purpose in life is. There could also be multiple answers to this question, but I wouldn’t want to escape through a loophole in response to the question. Instead, I’ll answer with what I think generally encompasses the concept of having a purpose.
Firstly, we must think about life from a humble perspective. We exist in a universe where there are hundreds of billions of galaxies, each containing billions of planets, and things are happening on each one of them. The chances of there being other races that exist in this infinite expanse are so high that we could say it is certain they exist. We, as humans, are just a tiny, infinitesimal part of the universe’s existence. If our species were to disappear completely, nothing in the surrounding universe would change in the slightest. Our existence itself would have no impact on the course of life for other species. Probably, and most likely, it would even benefit them.
Knowing this, and seen from that perspective, our life boils down to a few things. If we ask ourselves, “Why are we alive?” the answer would be the same as “Why do birds exist?” Life itself finds its way among species with the sole purpose of existing. There is nothing special about us other than our mere existence. This may sound a bit sad, I understand, but it is the truth, at least to a certain extent. We work to live and we live to work in order to continue living. It’s easy to become depressed or frustrated when we realize that living to work and pay bills has no meaningful purpose within the canons of existence. But then, what is important?
Here we come to the eye of the storm. What is important in life is simply living life and doing it in the most enjoyable way possible. That varies from person to person. I would think that each person has something they would like to do more than anything else, and that is their purpose. So let’s do what we want to do! What we enjoy doing!
Someone might ask, “If it’s as easy as that, why is it so difficult to find the purpose of life?” I suppose this happens because there is no “one purpose,” but rather purposes change over time and renew themselves with a person’s maturity. It is not a fixed purpose that drives us, but many overlapping purposes that are discovered over time. I have discovered that my purpose is to create art and befriend other artists. These relationships have helped me expand my knowledge of art, my vision, my ideas, and have taught me that there is not one reality, but many, and each one is as valid as the others. Perhaps in the future, I will find another purpose derived from this one, and I will like it very much too. When the time comes, I will accept it and recognize it. For now, my purpose is to continue creating art, writing, and thinking.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Jose Calabres. I am the owner and curator of the Calabres Art Gallery located on the 7th floor of the iconic Sunsphere in Knoxville.
I am Venezuelan, a journalist, filmmaker, and sculptor. I won a Tally award in NYC in 2019 for production. More recently, in 2022, I won an Emmy as a screenwriter, and in 2023, I have been a judge for the Emmy Awards. I have been a judge at the NYC Film Festival on three different occasions. I have also been part of the production team for 5 World Body Art Festivals. I am a violinist and the founder of the internationally renowned National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela, a program that you may have heard of at some point. I have over 20 years of experience in the TV industry in different countries and have worked as a producer for some of the world’s most important networks.
My father, Pepe Calabres, with whom I work hand in hand, is a renowned international artist, ceramicist, painter, and sculptor. He is Venezuelan and a four-time winner of the National Art Prize of Venezuela. He is a graphic designer graduated from the London College in England and recognized as one of the most important living artists in Venezuela and Latin America today. He has had over 150 exhibitions throughout his career in prestigious museums and galleries in countries such as Spain, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, and the USA. Some of his ceramic pieces are in collections as important as the Vatican, the United Nations, and the World Bank, among others.
My wife, my daughter, and I have been living in Knoxville for almost 8 years. Knoxville is our home today, and as such, we love, respect, and feel connected to it.
It is precisely because of our gratitude to Knoxville that we decided to open our gallery. First and foremost, it is a lifelong dream that we always wanted to fulfill, and finally achieving it brings us indescribable satisfaction. Achieving that dream in the heart of the Sunsphere, the most iconic place in our city, is also a source of pride and privilege that we deeply appreciate.
I must say that our gallery doesn’t aim to be just another store selling paintings and crafts like the many already existing on every street. We want to establish ourselves as a meeting point between seasoned artists and the people of our city. We aim to be a sort of institutional amalgamation where art can venture into public spaces and fulfill an educational function by bringing renowned international artists in contact with the public. In the near future, we hope to reach schools and universities through not only traveling exhibitions but also through discussions on artistic appreciation, art history, and its influence and importance in everyday life, among other things. We even plan to offer courses on some weekends for those who want to explore the artistic world guided by the hands of important flesh-and-blood artists.
Every month, our gallery opens a new exhibition. Each month, we showcase a highly acclaimed artist, and to celebrate, we offer the public a vernissage with cocktails, live music on the opening night, as well as the presence of the artist. All of this is completely free and open to the public. To find out when we hold these events, simply follow us on Instagram, where we always post the latest news: @calabresgallery.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I firmly believe that every person is a genius in something. That each person possesses an unparalleled talent for something. The problem is that discovering that talent can take a lifetime. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find it. But I can say that there are some things that definitely help in achieving goals. These are three things I have learned on my journey up to this point and that I can suggest to those embarking on any project.
Firstly, I would say that self-confidence is crucial. If you have an idea, a project that you believe is good and that you enjoy, it’s important to hold onto it and see it through. The majority of people around us will point out countless obstacles and problems in making it a reality, and that often dampens our desire to pursue what we want due to fear of making mistakes or not being capable. That’s a trap! The world belongs to those who dare! Have faith in your idea and do EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER to make it happen.
Secondly: Be organized. Take into account everything you want to achieve, what prevents you from achieving it, and the steps you need to take to overcome obstacles. If you organize all of that and gradually overcome problems step by step, success is assured.
And finally: Be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Even when your idea is already in motion, it will take time for it to solidify and grow. There will be new challenges to face and things to improve along the way, but only when you’re there will you understand it. Be patient and always do your best. If you are patient and consistent, you will achieve it.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The most influential person in my life has always been myself. I dare say that the most influential person on our ideas and decisions is always ourselves. Confronting our own fears and overcoming our frustrations is always a greater challenge. Overcoming the imposter syndrome that always surrounds us is perhaps the most difficult. We are always our worst and harshest critics. Overcoming that is a daily task, but in the end, it is also quite rewarding because we prove to ourselves that we can achieve what initially seemed impossible or out of reach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @calabresgallery
- Facebook: @jackiecalabres
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-calabres-550488104/
Image Credits
Jose Calabres (Youngest) & Pepe Calabres (old one)
