These young talents in the Philippine art industry are slowly cementing their name in their field.
Artists create art reflecting time—they visualize and materialize the inspirations they get from what they see, feel, and experience. This then forms the notion that each artist from different generations creates nuances unique to their group. From workplace attitudes to social beliefs—each generation has a distinct characteristic, which also translates into art.
Young Blood
It is interesting to explore how the generations who experienced recent milieux create art. From recessions to pandemics, the Millennial and Generation Z artists are now cultivating their craft as a reflection of their time. Though Boomer and Generation X artists are still held in high regard in the industry—the emergence of younger artists provides deeper depth to the already rich Filipino art industry.
These four Millennial and Generation Z artists are now creating names for themselves. They might be young, but their crafts speak for themselves. Furthermore, their art is a testament to the potential the younger generations have.
Clari
Some flowers take time to bloom and for Clari Quismorio, also called Clari, her flowers are her art career. Being a late bloomer in the art industry, the 32-year-old artist started her journey in the industry in 2020. However, starting late didn’t hinder her from trying and experimenting with different mediums such as air dry and polymer clay, gypsum plaster, acrylic on canvas, printmaking, 3D art toy customs, merchandise design, and digital art.
Her art revolves around a character she created, a demon who takes many forms named Redrum. “I only use red, black, and white – which makes my works look cohesive and recognizable. My art is in the line between dark and playful. It’s mysterious, but also direct. It’s adorable, but also creepy,” she states.
She sees her youth as an advantage. Her proficiency in marketing her work through different social media platforms allows her to monetize her craft. Moreover, her inspiration to do art is the craft itself. “ Art inspires me naturally. It’s something I feel the moment I wake up, it’s like an urge… I must do it! I also crave the feeling of fulfillment after creating something out of nothing. It’s a kind of magic that I wish a lot of people could experience,” Clari exclaimed.
Jesse Camacho
Jesse Camacho is a Gen Z artist on the rise. He is a visual artist from Quezon City who dabbles in the art of paintings, illustrations, murals, and art toys. He makes Lowbrow Art—an underground visual art movement originating from Los Angeles.
“I create art based on my personal/life experiences. Each artwork has its own story. It somehow became my coping mechanism during the pandemic. I let my art do what I cannot do and what I fear, and also I use my art to tell everyone what I did and accomplish,” he explained his process.
Belonging to the generation also called the digital natives, Jesse used his youth and technological knowledge to promote his art through social media. However, he sees age as a nonfactor in being an artist. “Art is for everyone and as a young artist, I learned that age doesn’t define growth. We can always strive for more,” he said”
Nika Dizon
They say being a specialist and focusing on one thing is the way to go, however, Nika Dizon proves that she is beyond specialization. She is a freelance artist who specializes in painting and making sculptures from materials like resin and plaster. Nika also designs bags and accessories for her eclectic brand.
Furthermore, she creates art in the style called pop surrealism. “My paintings are usually dark in subject but the palette is most often colorful, and there’s always a bit of my humor injected into every work,” describing her work. She draws inspiration from nostalgia and current times—nostalgia from her childhood while current events and politics for modern times. “Things I feel, things I see, things I consume, the news, the anxiety of how bleak the future might be, I paint it all.”
Though youth truly is an advantage, Nika also mentions that in the art industry, everyone is eager for young blood—which leads to the exploitation of younger artists. However, youth isn’t all that bad. “There’s always room for something new and refreshing, and I’m very excited for the landscape of Philippine art with all the newcomers and the communities and collectives of artists flourishing and breathing new life into the industry.”
Naburok
Every creation is an expression of a feeling or a moment for Naburok. She is a visual artist who works with both traditional and digital illustrations. “I am part of the lowbrow art or pop surrealism movement. My art features maximalist illustrations with flat, bright, pastel, candy-colored worlds and clean outlines,” she describes her art. Moreover, her art revolves around bringing to life the bizarre visuals in her mind.
“Often, the concepts of my artworks are seen as silly or mundane events, which may appear chaotic due to the detailed environments and subjects. Throughout my illustrations, my passion for patterns and architectural structures is evident, blending geometric shapes with spontaneity, resulting in a delightful imperfection,” she says. Moreover, she draws inspiration from both cartoons that she watched as a child and those she watches now as an adult.
Being a digital native, she acknowledges how being a Gen Z artist helped her hone her skills and talent. “I can easily learn techniques and draw inspiration from artists around the world, both past and present.” Moreover, she sees youth as a starting point for artists—it is both an advantage and a disadvantage. “The youth should realize that the art they create reflects personal growth, and they have plenty of time to learn, make mistakes, and enjoy the process,” she preaches.
Photos courtesy of the artists.
Banner photo courtesy of Nika Dizon.
