Raco Ruiz sees the world as his canvas
There is a big chance you’ve already seen Raco Ruiz. Perhaps he was on your "TikTok For You" page, making sketches about conyo guys and people you meet on dating apps. But behind these funny skits, Raco has also made a name for himself and his bright personality with his graffiti-style art, directorial pursuits, and hosting gigs.
From murals to TikToks, art has made Raco Ruiz reach new heights, hosting talks in universities, and collaborating with brands like Vans Philippines.
Raco sat down with Young STAR and spoke about what it means to create art and how it makes his world vibrant.
YOUNG STAR: How did you start creating art? What made it something you want to pursue?
RACO RUIZ: I thought that was the default mode for everyone. Being a child, you don’t really think logically. In the ’90s, being creative was very much encouraged by the media. We had Art Attack, Pappyland, all these shows that would encourage kids to draw or make things. Even Blue’s Clues had the handy-dandy notebook. I think as much as I was influenced by school and parents, it was also the media that encouraged art.
You’ve created art on various platforms: murals, digital work, directing, and TikTok. What pushed you to expand from one medium? Are there any challenges that you face from trying different things?
Honestly, they all help each other out. It’s not like one gets in the way of the other. The creative process is the same for all. What varies are the things you need to make them. For TikTok, I don’t have paintbrushes and pencils to help me make the art—it’s my own face (and) filters. As silly as they may seem, they help in creating a scene for people to enjoy on the Internet. I think that’s the common thread that goes through all these forms of art: Before the Internet, so many talented artists were never discovered because there was no way of getting on the world stage aside from TV, museums, or books. Now, anyone can share anything at any point in time. That’s one thing that I’m blessed to be in the presence of.
What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on recently?
I’m gonna go to visual art, kasi this is where I’m the most self-expressive. Recently, I had a solo exhibit at Secret Fresh, which Kroma and Nyma helped so much with (in terms of) organizing and reaching out to the gallery. It’s a dream gallery of mine, and it sold out in the first two hours, which was unbelievable.
Another recent favorite was the murals (I painted on the Circuit Makati Skate Park) that were commissioned by GOMO. Again, Kroma helped me get that gig.
Another favorite, which is not exactly my art but a project I had fun doing, is this six-month stint I had on TV, also a Kroma project, with PIE Channel. It’s not my usual thing, hosting live TV for a morning show. At the start of that project, I was stuttering and buckling a lot, doubting whether I should do it or not. I questioned, “Bakit ako kinuha? Hindi naman ako bagay sa show na ‘to,” kasi I stuck out too much. The director was like, “Kaya ka kinuha, kasi (you) stick out.” The point of making art is not to be like everyone else.
How do you want your art to impact people?
It all boils down to this quote I can’t get out of my head every time I make art: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” My brand of comedy mocks the elite a lot. I don’t bully them—I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings—but I want to poke at truths about society that get glossed over. I parody how rich people sometimes seem very out of touch with what’s going on, especially in the Philippines. Even if I’m pointing out a truth, I don’t want it to be at the cost of hurting people’s feelings. I want them to poke fun at themselves, shake them up a bit with jokes, so that they’re self-aware. Even with my art, even if it’s pretty pictures or colorful paintings, I try to put some social commentary behind it. There’s some truth it’s trying to share.
What advice would you give to young, inspiring artists trying to find their creative voice?
You have to ground everything in your own taste. That’s what’s gonna set you apart. Hundreds of thousands of kids want to be artists now, and the last thing you want to do is try so hard to be someone else when you already have what it takes, you just gotta sharpen it. It’s gonna be soul-crushing if you succeed by not being yourself.
And I’m just a kid, I’m still learning. I might say that this advice is wrong eventually, but for now, whatever your voice was as a child, let that guide you in what you create and what should be the purpose behind it.