Cover Contemporary artist, Francis Nacion in front of his works (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
Contemporary artist, Francis Nacion in front of his works (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Much like his whirlwind of a journey, Nacion reminds us that there is beauty in imperfection
Born in Aklan in 1981, Francis Nacion found his passion for the arts at an early age. At the tender age of four, he would already pick up a pen to draw Pilipino Funny Komiks while on a boat to Manila. Today, he celebrates his 16th year in the art scene and is renowned for his bold colours and intricate patterns. By combining modernism with the folk art style he picked up from Baguio, he creates paintings that play with ideas of the past and future.
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Above One of Francis Nacion’s oldest works. Cinco Maria oil on canvas 2007 (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
One of Francis Nacion’s oldest works. Cinco Maria oil on canvas 2007 (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Nacion’s signature style—half-faced characters—was born out of accident. During his tenure in Baguio, he worked on a piece inspired by the province’s unique ethnic identity. The pastel painting originally had a complete face but as he added highlights, Nacion accidentally put too much. “Nabura ang isang mata, (The other eye was erased)” he shares with a laugh. From a simple mistake came the birth of his trademark art style with an evolved meaning. “The bright side represents positivity while the dark is negativity. Yin and Yang,” he quips.
Keen eyes would also notice that his figures are full of missing details. Nacion mentions that these are intentional by design, highlighting man’s beauty despite our imperfections. “My paintings only have four fingers and don’t even have ears, but they look meek and beautiful,” he says.
Above ‘Himig ng Pasko’, 2011, 15 x 20 inches, mixed media on board for Kleenex box design (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
‘Himig ng Pasko’, 2011, 15 x 20 inches, mixed media on board for Kleenex box design (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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With collections and exhibits, each containing over 20 works, Nacion creates whenever inspiration strikes him. Gathering ideas from what he sees in his surroundings, he makes sure to never leave home without a sketchpad. “Just like how a kid has a safety blanket, Francis has his sketchbook,” says Riba Barrios-Nacion, the artist’s wife and avid supporter. Sometimes, however, he works directly on the canvas and lets his imagination run wild. Like on a manic episode, Nacion has a line-up of empty canvases ready to be filled while waiting for the last one to dry.
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Above Francis Nacion’s old work. Lovers Oil on Canvas 2008 (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
Francis Nacion’s old work. Lovers Oil on Canvas 2008 (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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After finding his love for the arts as a child, his passion was locked in during his drawing subject in high school. For college, he took to the University of Baguio where he unexpectedly received a degree in Computer Engineering. “I thought I was going to take up Fine Arts in college but my relatives convinced my mother that there was no money in the field. It was disappointing because I really wanted art,” Nacion shares.
This unexpected turn didn’t stop him from pursuing his passion—opting to cut class to spend time with the Baguio Arts Guild. “I would often see Benedict Cabrera and Kidlat Tahimik at the Botanical Garden,” he mentions. His time in the province would then influence his art style—taking the unique ethnic culture and translating it onto a canvas. “I was able to adopt the colours of Baguio. That’s where my scraping method came from,” he continues.
Above Francis Nacion during a photo shoot (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
Francis Nacion during a photo shoot (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Upon graduating from college, he journeyed to Manila, where he got a job as an encoder with his cousin. After seeing Nacion’s undying love for the arts, he was encouraged to visit SM Megamall, which housed the Art Centre. There, he witnessed Ronald Ventura’s exhibit, which left him awestruck. “I went home that day thinking of Ventura’s work. It made me not want to paint anymore because his work was so beautiful. How do you compete with that?” Nacion shares. His artistic excursions would extend to visiting The Saturday Group’s hangouts at Shangri-La Plaza and the moment he saw renowned Filipino cartoonist Malang, he was starstruck and decided that he would one day join the group.
Above Premonition 72 x 72 OC 2012 (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
Premonition 72 x 72 OC 2012 (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Like a twist of fate, Nacion was eating at a Jollibee when he looked up and saw a poster of Fernando Sena’s workshop happening on the second floor of the building. “It felt like fate,” he quips. After giving the master painter a call to join the workshop, he showed his work and was told to start at a beginner level. “When I started, I realised that I didn’t have enough knowledge of the basics. I only learned drawing in high school so I had no foundation,” Nacion shares.
Above The fragrance of flowers. Oil and textile on canvas 2018. (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
The fragrance of flowers. Oil and textile on canvas 2018. (Photo courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Moving forward, Nacion, unfortunately, didn’t have the funds to enrol in the advanced course. Instead, he got an even better deal—becoming the apprentice of Sena. “He saw potential in me when I graduated his beginner course. I was his best student, I was ecstatic,” he says. Under Sena’s guidance, he was able to hone his craft and refine his signature style—even getting the opportunity to mentor other students. He would then join the Saturday Group where he got discovered, jumpstarting his career.
Above One of Francis Nacion’s works at his first solo exhibit. ‘Brown Butterfly’, 2009, oil on canvas (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
One of Francis Nacion’s works at his first solo exhibit. ‘Brown Butterfly’, 2009, oil on canvas (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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Nacion made his debut in 2009 during his first solo exhibition at the Village Art Gallery in Alabang where he sold his entire lot—cementing himself as one of the scene’s best up-and-comers. In the same year, he would meet his now wife who would support and manage his shows. “Plenty of my friends and followers would say ‘Francis Nacion would be nothing without Riba,’” In 2011, he would meet Ricky Francisco, Fundacion Sansó’s director and curator. This partnership would lead to his first international exhibition at the Affordable Art Fair in Singapore. From here, he would participate in multiple group exhibitions while hosting many solos that sold out.
Above One of Francis Nacion’s acrylic on canvas works at the 2015 exhibit in Hong Kong. (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
One of Francis Nacion’s acrylic on canvas works at the 2015 exhibit in Hong Kong. (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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His hot streak would come to a stop when he hit the lowest point in his artistic career after a fundraising show in 2015 in Hong Kong. Exhibiting alongside two of his friends, Nacion shares that every painting on display was sold except for his. Changing his style for the exhibition, Nacion had deviated from the style he was renowned for. “That show had a lot of my followers, so I was confident that they would buy whatever I put out… It hurt not because I wasn’t able to sell anything. It hurt because I wasn’t able to help,” he says.
Above One of Francis Nacion’s paintings at his latest exhibition (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
One of Francis Nacion’s paintings at his latest exhibition (Photo: Courtesy of Francis Nacion)
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In the following years, Nacion regained his spark and brought back his signature scrapes—quickly became a household name within the community. His latest exhibition, Astral Bridge is a collaboration with renowned sculptor and his longtime friend, Jonathan Dangue.
Looking ahead, Nacion wishes to focus on the present. With three kids and the eldest following in his footsteps—currently taking up fine arts in college—he wants to watch them grow up with the unwavering support of him and his wife. “I can’t predict the future. Whatever I do now, I make sure to pour myself into it,” he says.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
