Filipino artist Raco Ruiz has been living many lives: making art with his signature eye-popping and surrealist visuals, directing videos and producing regular TikTok content such as those that hinge on conyo humor, collaborating with musicians like Jikamarie and Zack Tabudlo, and even hosting TV shows — all of which contribute to his young yet burgeoning career.
“I think what I’ve learned from all the fields is that you have to put as much of yourself into the work if you want to establish your voice in the creative community, kasi lahat naman ng pinasukan ko na career paths… they’re all related in a sense that they all have to do with creating things,” says Raco when asked about his commitment to several disciplines.
Recently, CNN Philippines Life visited Raco’s new studio that caters to his creative pursuits. It’s a cozy, minimalist space, with an IDK sign in neon pink mounted on the wall — a reminder for the artist not to “pressure [himself] to have it all figured out.”
Here, Raco shares insights on finding his own space, deciding to join Kroma Entertainment’s talent management arm NYMA, dealing with “divine discontent,” and wading through life as an artist.
Can you talk about the things that you’re currently working on?
Without being too specific since I don’t want to jinx anything, I’ m currently working on my next solo exhibit, and then looking for more opportunities to collaborate with brands, be it via art collab or even brand deals with my TikTok content.
You’ve already mentioned that you’ve committed to a lot of disciplines. Would you say that all of these inform each other? If yes, how so?
Yes, sobra! They all intertwine, and the learnings I get from each project can actually affect other fields I pursue. For example, in my visual art, you can’t help but be a perfectionist with how things turn out but as soon as you turn it in, you have to accept the fact that it’s not going to be perfect in your eyes because of divine discontent.
And that also applies to all my other fields. For example, when I upload a TikTok or host an event or an episode of a show, I look back on it and see so many points for improvement instead of being happy with my work. There’s always gonna be divine discontent and room for improvement if you’re a creative in any field. So that’s the one thing I can apply to everything.
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Speaking of projects, what are the works you’re most proud of?
As a whole, I’m most proud of my solo exhibit last September at Aphro in Karrivin Plaza. It’s like a rite of passage in the art world, when you put up a solo exhibit in a legit gallery. Like you’re getting your foot in the door na, so I’m very proud of that. It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a toddler because my parents would put my drawings on the fridge and, sa akin, parang art gallery na ‘yun. So to actually put my works in art galleries, even with group shows [and] not just my solo show, I personally find that a bigger accomplishment for myself. Although I love all my brand collabs, there’s a special space in my heart for my personal art being hung up in galleries.
Can we talk a little bit about the interior of the space, and what’s the overall theme and inspiration behind it? Did you arrange all these things?
Yes, I handpicked everything — besides some of the small gifts from family and friends — as in I did not buy anything that someone else decided that I should buy. It’s this notion I had in my head that the stuff I would have bought as a kid, I can buy now as I please — but now, with a more mature taste. So if you see that there are a lot of childhood ‘90s references sa mga gamit, though subtle, it is because I don’t want to lose that spark of my inner child. That’s what motivates me to do all the work I do now.\r
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You’ve signed a contract with NYMA, the talent management arm of Kroma Entertainment early last year. How did it help your journey as an artist?
I don’t know where I’d be without them, because they take care of all the aspects that I have a difficult time with. For example, all the logistics, [including] scheduling, talking to clients, receipts, taxes — sila na lahat ‘yun. Sometimes, they handle pitches to potential clients, and source people to collaborate with. I really needed someone to help me manage my business kasi hindi ko kaya mag-isa since I tend to get easily distracted. That’s not just external noise… but in my mind, too. If I’m thinking too much about the logistics, I won’t be able to create as efficiently as I can.
You’ve had collaborations with different brands. What’s your favorite collaboration?
Recently, I got the opportunity to paint a whole skate park all by myself. I really like that kasi skate culture has always influenced my art. Even as a child, I wasn’t a hardcore professional skater, but it was always something I was enthusiastic about. So to actually have that come to fruition, I was excited about that.
I also love the opportunities to collaborate with musicians and make cover art for their songs because music inspires my art just as much as pop culture does. So to have it directly inspire my art, sobrang saya nun. For example, with Warner [Music Philippines], I worked a lot with Jikamarie and with Universal Music Group (formerly MCA Music), I’m happy to have created artwork for Zack Tabudlo. That really made me proud to say that I actually did draw album art because in my teen years, I always fantasized about drawing cover art for music. Actually nangyayari na siya, so talagang dream come true.
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Speaking of art, I’ve noticed, especially in your Instagram account, that you’re really into eye-popping visuals and play so much with vibrant colors. When did this fascination for this kind of art start?
Actually, this style has been inherent in me ever since I was a kid. For a time, I had this notion where the closer art is to reality, the better it is. It was later on that I realized, “No, I have to get in touch with my inner child,” like what would my inner child want me to draw as an adult. So that’s why bumalik ako sa mga hilig ko nung bata ako like using pastel, neon colors, using cartoon-y visuals. All of us kinda have a voice in us that we developed as children so I’m really trying my best to not lose that voice. That’s what makes work fun, if you’re just in touch with your inner child. So that’s why I incorporate it as much as I can into all my work.
Can we talk about the artist that has influenced you most, or you continue to look up to?
The artist I continue to look up to, even if we don’t apply the same style, is Lauren Tsai from “Terrace House: [Aloha State].” When I became familiar with her art, I realized sobrang bata pa niya but she already knew what she wanted to do. And she’s always working — not only as an artist but as a model and sometimes, as an actress. So I told myself, “You have no excuse. If you wanna do a lot of things, you don’t even have to choose sometimes — you just devote the time to do it.” She’s my idol work ethic-wise. But style-wise, no one artist comes to mind. My style is a combination of everything I like, put into a blender then mashed together.
You studied at De La Salle University. How was the experience? Have you thought of a different direction before, as compared to now?
To be honest, when I entered college, I didn’t know what I wanted my job to be. Sobrang wala akong plano talaga (Laughs) when I was in high school. I just wanted to have fun in life and then in college, that’s when I was kind of nudged into the direction of being a video director. In high school, I would make YouTube videos just for fun and back then, my idol was Ryan Higa. I then realized in college, I was just naturally having fun with it, and because I was, I would excel in those subjects that had video direction or creation. That was when I thought I could become a director as a career. So definitely, going to La Salle for communication arts nudged me into the path of video directing and creating. If I didn’t take that course in that school, my path would be so different.
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@racobell Like parang TGIF pareh 😎 #fyp #xyzbca #conyo #conyotiktok #filipno #tgif ♬ original sound – Raco – raco ruiz