Cover Portrait of Jose Tence Ruiz, 2016. (Photo: Brian Sergio. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
Portrait of Jose Tence Ruiz, 2016. (Photo: Brian Sergio. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Get to know the painter, sculptor, editorial illustrator, graphic designer, performance artist, writer, and occasional curator
“I am now enabled to be the artist I’d like to be,” Jose “Bogie” Tence Ruiz exclaimed. With a career spanning 50 years, his artistic journey has been long and arduous. Ruiz explores the grit of daily realities through provocative paintings, sculptures and drawings that challenge political and social ills and human frailties. Whether he’s illustrating archetypes of heroes, oppressors or the oppressed, one thing rings true—the same grievances are being inflicted on us daily.
With more than 30 solo shows and over 200 exhibitions in Manila, Singapore, Italy, China, Germany, Hungary, Cuba, and Australia, he has provoked minds without letting any borders get in the way.
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Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
(Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Ruiz found his calling at an early age. At the end of high school in Ateneo de Manila in 1972, he knew he would be in the creative industry—he had just not settled on a medium yet.
He has spent his first two years at the University of Santo Tomas studying advertising. “I remember saying, ‘Okay, there could be something here. Later on, I could be the artist I wanted to be, but then I realised that I was so [lazy] to complete my plates. I had good grades, but I wasn’t excited about it. So I transferred to painting,” Ruiz shared.
Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
(Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Most of his work could be described as politically charged, but Ruiz sees it as more than that.
“We see people with power, people without power, and how do they interact with the world? Whether you like it or not, that’s the basis of politics. . .It’s about the affairs of humans. I do not think that anyone can find oneself involved in the affairs of humans and never call it political. . .You might call it political, but to me, it’s human interest,” said Ruiz.
In case you missed it: All eyes are on Pandy Aviado, a celebrated figure in fine printmaking
Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
(Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Like what you do. If you don’t like what you’re doing, and you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, you won’t last.
Ruiz’s creative process begins with things that pop into his head. Sometimes based on what he sees, sometimes randomly—whenever inspiration strikes, he creates sketches in his notebook that he always keeps beside him.
Whether he’s showcasing his paintings at local and international galleries or creating editorial sketches that criticise the status quo for newspapers and magazines, not a single medium could hold Ruiz’s creative mind.
Above Shoal Installation at the 2015 Venice Biennale (Photo: Artsy.net)
Shoal Installation at the 2015 Venice Biennale (Photo: Artsy.net)
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After 51 years without Filipino representation in the Venice Biennale, Ruiz made his name known to the world in 2015. With his mixed media installation titled Shoal, Ruiz shocked audiences with his blood-red boat—a symbol of the battles we fought in the name of patriotism.
Also see: A look into Kristoffer del Villar’s “The World is My Oyster” celebration
Above ‘Litanya’ exhibit (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
‘Litanya’ exhibit (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
Above (Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
(Photo: Clefvan Pornela. Courtesy of Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Back in 1969, 54 years ago, Ruiz had a near-death experience through a vehicular accident. Though he walked away without serious injury, the possibility of death remained etched in his mind.
Marking 50 years since he first fell in love with art, Litanya is a chronological diary that covers most of his practice as a painter, sculptor and performance artist. A product of the Covid-19 pandemic, the book reiterates Ruiz’s mortality and his willful urge to compile all he had done. Meaning litany in Tagalog, Ruiz sees his art practice as a personal form of daily prayer and describes it as an ‘‘anxious inventory of my practice as an independent visual artist,’’
Though this similarly titled exhibit is a modest sampling of Ruiz’s work, it extensively presents his commitment to his vision and vocation and how he has grown as a creative.
Litanya, 1972-2022, The Works of Jose Tence Ruiz, is now open for viewing at the Ateneo Art Gallery until September 2, 2023.
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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.
Work
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.
