Cover Anina Rubio and her mural near St Luke’s Medical Center
Anina Rubio and her mural near St Luke’s Medical Center
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Art collectors and enthusiasts can experience a piece of nature without taking anything from it with this artist’s works
Progress starts with the truth. You have to be able to admit there’s a problem in the first place before taking a step forward. Anina Rubio, visual artist and environmental advocate, knows this fact well.
It all started when she was in her early twenties and learning to overcome her fear of swimming in open bodies of water. Expecting to witness schools of fish, she was welcomed instead by floating debris of trash—plastic bags, straws, wrappers, and diapers. “That was my wake-up call,” Rubio says. She realised then and there how she had a hand in the deteriorating state of our natural resources, contributing to the pollution by mindlessly consuming things without thinking of their long-term impact on the planet.
“I had to do something within my means. Something I can do,” she says.
Above Anina Rubio
Anina Rubio
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Since then, Rubio has joined in the call for sustainability. She started integrating her new-found advocacy into her craft by using native plants. Apart from being environmentally friendly, it also boasts the diverse flora of the Philippines.
She worked her magic and designed a picturesque backdrop made of leaves and mushrooms in an event where artists and chefs fused art and food—a feat that left guests amazed and driven. “I’m always excited to see how creativity can be applied to different fields, whether it be science, fine arts, or culinary,” she shares. “It was fun seeing my pieces (and advocacies) translated into a gastronomic experience.”
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“Some of my murals and works in general have been very straightforward, like ‘Save the Sharks’. But I’ve also been mindful of what I illustrate or sew by always ensuring that the pieces mimic an ecosystem found in nature,” she explains, whether the colours, textures, patterns and even the actual plants or animals she uses. Rubio insists on doing this to remind the audience of nature’s beauty and why it is necessary to conserve it.
Above Anina Rubio’s caja series titled ‘In Between Seasons’
Above A closer look on a caja
Anina Rubio’s caja series titled ‘In Between Seasons’
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Her cajas, for example, are powerful pieces for promoting change. Rubio stresses the importance of green practices in the creative industry by using upcycled fabric. The concept was birthed initially as an installation art for Fashion Revolution’s Walk-Through exhibition, aiming to show the impact of fast fashion on our planet. She urges giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. The cajas have evolved into a personal project (#CajaInEveryCasa) to bring sustainable art pieces to every home.
As a breathwork and meditation coach, it is also one of Rubio’s goals to bridge the connection of humans back to nature: “Our environment is also crucial for our well-being.” According to her, when humans connect to nature, they “reconnect with themselves.” Each person then brings back a level of awareness and care for the environment. “This can be done through painting, as it can be a form of meditation.”
Insisting on everyone to care for their mental and physical state, Rubio herself stays inspired by forest bathing, running, doing yoga, sleeping, hydrating, and immersing in nature. “Art is a tangible translation of feelings and ideas that reflect the aesthetic and purpose of the artist,” she says. “It can engage people emotionally and intellectually, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.” Thus, as an artist, it is imperative to be 100 per cent committed to delivering the message you want to share.
And she delivered. One of the most memorable experiences in Rubio’s career was her Breathe Better mural in Bonifacio Global City, located across from St Luke’s Medical Center. “One cancer patient even crossed the road to go to the site just to say thank you because seeing the mural gave him hope and joy,” she shares. “I cried on the spot. It was a great reminder of fulfilment through purpose!”
Above Anina Rubio painting a mural that highlights the Yellow-throated leaf birds that are endemic to Palawan, Philippines
It was the moment she knew her art was making a difference. She successfully used her talents and skills as a platform for change. “Most of the time, when we try to learn something, our benchmark for success is an expert in the field.” Whether political or not, art is a journey in itself—arduous regardless of when or how you began. “I always tell my students to be patient. Everyone starts as a beginner; just keep practising and be open to failures.”
For Rubio, integrating art, environmentalism, and well-being fosters awareness seamlessly, inspires action and enhances emotional connections that promote a sustainable and healthier world. Whether an artist or a casual viewer, it helps to understand how our platforms, especially art, can promote impactful change in society, one step at a time.
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Credits
Artwork: Anina Rubio
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
