When he’s not making people laugh over his TikTok videos, designing websites or directing music videos, Raco Ruiz likes to humor people through his art, with paintings as his medium of choice.
After all, it is through this art form where he is able to inject sharp commentary into the seemingly cheerful and at times sinister facade of his paintings. This all comes into full display in his first solo exhibit, “Ruined,” which runs for a month at the Aphro Gallery on Chino Roces Avenue, Makati.
Through the exhibit, Ruiz aims to hit us right where it hurts and bring the internet-born phrase “childhood ruined”— the inspiration behind the exhibit title— into canvas by alluding to the seven deadly sins and evoking ‘90s nostalgia.
Through juxtaposing pop colors and imagery with a dark subtext, the 7-piece exhibit depicts how one’s childhood eventually gets “ruined,” as innocence and carefree living gets taken over by the complexities of growing up.
“I also hope to communicate my mourning of a childhood that is long gone — innocence lost, as the saying goes.” Ruiz says.
The paintings are on 24x32-inch canvas, the same dimensions of the common ‘90s CRT television set.
“Ruined” will be open to the public from September 30 through October 30, 2022 at Aphro, one of the best art and design shops in the metro that features well curated collections of pottery, bags, lighting, art, and sculpture from across the country. It is located in The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City.
Raco Ruiz is a NYMA exclusive talent. He is best known for his TikTok Racoverse of comedic characters tiktok.com/@racobell, but he has started to expand through his two YouTube channels: youtube.com/c/RacoForReel for movie reviews, and youtube.com/c/RacoRuiz for humor content. You may also catch him on Facebook via facebook.com/RacoRuizOfficial. A man of many talents, Raco is also a TV jock on the PIE channel.
Having worked in various advertising agencies, Raco Ruiz has established his forte in directing upbeat, fun, and lively digital videos. Check out the videos he directed for musician Martti Franca: Alone- Martti Franca (Official Vertical Music Video)and indie band TWOSHIBA (Feel Good - Twoshiba (Official Music Video)
NYMA’s vision is to be the home of the best Filipino talents in the country and the world. The agency is one of eight brands under tradigital entertainment company KROMA. To know more about NYMA, visit nyma.ph.