Page 52 - Philippine Tatler (April 2019)

UPFRONT | GENERATION T
Meet
Generation T
RYAN
VILLAMAEL
By making the most of what was available,
he has created a prolifi c career as an artist
using paper as his medium. This has led
him to have his works exhibited worldwide,
making him an unstoppable art force.
What inspired you to pursue
your career?
I don’t think I really had a choice. This is
probably the only thing I can do or want
to do. It wasn’t an “if” but a “when” for
me. There wasn’t any other option.
Why choose paper cutouts as
your medium?
I started working with paper more out
of necessity rather than choice. After
college, I worked as an assistant for
different artists, trying to figure out what
I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to paint
and sculpt, but I couldn’t afford to work
with those expensive media. I ended up
with paper because it was what I could
afford. I discovered that I could say what
I wanted to say and do what I wanted to
do with a very simple material. I think
we all have a very personal relationship
with paper—we played with it as kids,
we write on it, we shape it. I realised I
didn’t have to paint or sculpt: paper on
its own can be expressive. I’ve stuck with
it since then because the medium has so
much potential.
In the last few months, though, I’ve
been experimenting with different
materials—metal, mirrors, even sand.
We’ll see where that goes. For now, I’m
having fun experimenting.
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Having had your work exhibited
abroad, what significant differences
do you see between the local and
international art scenes?
In a lot of the countries I’ve had the
privilege of exhibiting in, it was really
interesting to see how much they had—
the institutions, the infrastructures, and
the funding. Everything was readily
available and accessible, in terms of
production and seeing your ideas
materialise. Seeing all of that, of course,
you end up wishing we had as much as
they do.
At the same time, given the lack of
resources here, we learn to be ma-diskarte the Philippines in terms of art?
[resourceful], to make the most of what
we have, to come up with creative
solutions in dire situations, to make things
work. It’s not ideal, but a lot of great work
has come from that.
The richness of our culture, the
diversity, the history—those are things
you can’t fabricate, and those are the
things that make us who we are in
spite and despite of what’s happening in
our country.
What is your favourite part of
the job?
That I’m able to make a living doing what
I love. That might sound simple, but in
this day and age [and this economy], that’s
powerful. Coming from where I’m from,
it’s a privilege.
Who keeps you motivated?
My mum.
Where do you think will you be in
10 years?
Still making art. Hopefully working on more
ambitious projects, doing more interesting
collaborations—in other words, a bigger
world of art-making.
What future do you hope for or see for
Sustainable growth.
Photography: Alex Van Hagen;
Creative Direction & Styling: Monique Madsen;
Interview: Jeanna Lanting;
Make-Up: Pia Reyes of MAC Cosmetics;
Hair: Rudolf Davalos;
Location: The Peak at Grand Hyatt
Generation T is Philippine Tatler’s platform
for the leaders of tomorrow. To read more
interviews with young game changers
like Ryan, scan the QR code or go to
philtatler.com/generation-t
philippine tatler april 2019
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