The resurgence of Philippine creativity has attracted the international art world’s attention; Philippine Tatler sits down with seven of the country’s most promising artists.

Zean Cabangis had tried working a day job after graduating from the UP College of Fine Arts; but after just a day at the office, he knew that he wasn’t right for it and asked his thesis advisor for advice. “What was your major?” his advisor asked. “Painting,” Cabangis replied. “Then paint.” And he did.

Bicycle rides are an integral part of Cabangis’ creative process. He cycles three to four times a week, on main roads and trails, snapping hundreds of photographs of landscapes to later transpose onto canvas. Cabangis then begins constructing monoliths. Though the meanings of the monoliths aren’t as concrete as they themselves appear to be—the artist himself is unsure of what they signify—Cabangis sees his work as reflections of what is happening in the country, of something encroaching and taking over the landscape.

Photo by Sara Black

Learn more about the artist when you read the Philippine Tatler May 2015: The Art Issue. Available in any leading newsstands and bookstores, and downloadable via Magzter and Zinio.