From Pain to Paint: How Kim Cruz uses art for social good

Pandemic pivot

After a successful career in television, including stints at MYX Philippines and ESPN Philippines, Cruz found her way back to her first love when everything stopped during a global pandemic. As the curtains closed on her television career, the pandemic onset ushered in a period of introspection for Kim. She rediscovered her love for art, a flame that had flickered in the shadows of her bustling life.

With the world on pause, Cruz found solace in painting. “It was a way for me to just pass the time,” she says, further describing how this period of introspection and creativity led her to seek further opportunities in the art world. “When I was younger, I really wanted to be in the art space.”

Read more: Danny Castillon Doce’s ‘Colors of the South’ exhibition highlights Mindanaoan culture at its most natural
 

Armed with an educational background in Fine Arts, Cruz applied for internships and landed one at Secret Fresh, one of the country’s most prominent galleries, to keep learning the ropes of the art world. In less than a year, she had two sold-out solo performances. She also had her third exhibition in Modeka Art in collaboration with French photographer Camille Robiou Du Pont. 

These successes were followed by notable exhibitions at León Gallery in Manila, the Tokyo Tower Art Fair in Japan, and Fira Internacional d’Art de Barcelona in Spain.

See also: Joel Lamangan and Bonifacio Ilagan’s new collaborative work bravely tackles red-tagging, political history, and the pursuit of truth
 

Capturing divine femininity

Despite growing up in the conservative and traditional Filipino environment, where she often felt out of place, art became her haven and means of expressing her femininity. 

For Kim, art is also a way to inspire and empower others. Her paintings of women in various forms and moods aim to celebrate their strength and beauty. “It’s all about sharing the beauty of women and the essence of a woman,” she says. By depicting women in their most authentic states, Kim hopes to foster a sense of confidence and self-appreciation among her audience.

Her early works in charcoal and pastels laid the foundation for her current style, where she masterfully manipulates paint to capture the essence of her subjects. Mentored by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera or BenCab, Cruz developed a unique style that blends heavy textures with soft, dream-like subjects and colours.

By integrating strong with soft, exploring the duality of female strength and vulnerability, she invites viewers to contemplate the complex nature of femininity. “I portray women in their raw forms. I portray women not in an erotic light but in a way that shows their confidence and individuality,” she explains.

Her embrace of her femininity inspired her to encourage women to find strength in their vulnerability through the Kalma Art Foundation.

Read more: If Walls Could Talk: A walkthrough of the historic Laperal Mansion

Where art and heart intersect

With her commitment to using art as a tool for social change, Cruz established the Kalma Art Foundation in December 2023. The name itself translates to “calm”, reflecting its mission. Through the non-profit organisation, she conducts workshops and courses in classrooms and orphanages, providing art therapy for children and women who survived trafficking.

The current state of human trafficking among children and women in the Philippines remains a significant concern, with the country still struggling with issues of forced commercial sexual exploitation and online child sexual exploitation and abuse. In 2022 alone, the Philippine government identified 740 victims of sex trafficking, most of which are women and girls, and family members perpetrate the majority.

“What really changed my perception—I had a kid in one of the orphanages we work with. She was two years old, and her father sexually abused her and sold her after,” Cruz shares.

For Cruz, art therapy allows children to express themselves more naturally and less intimidatingly and process their trauma at their own pace. She recalls the two-year-old girl, who was initially unable to communicate her feelings, beginning to open up through her drawings.

“For me, art therapy is actually a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and get your mental well-being to be more positive,” Cruz tells Tatler. “Providing therapy has also become a therapy for me,” she shares, noting that it helps her process emotions and become more mindful.

Moving to Los Angeles full-time motivated Kim to formalise the Kalma Art Foundation. “I didn’t want to leave my roots in the Philippines completely,” she says. Through the foundation, she teaches short courses on art therapy at universities and collaborates with brands and malls to expand its reach. 

Her work in California also involves educating people about societal issues, including human trafficking. “It’s also about awareness, not just for the Filipino community but for everyone that I work with and deal with on a daily basis,” she emphasises, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and inform a wider audience.

See also: Cultivating opera and orchestra music in the Philippines
 

Cruz’s commitment to social causes extends beyond Kalma. She actively volunteers with organisations like Called to Rescue Philippines and Pawssion Project, initiating art therapy programs, fundraising exhibitions, and feeding programs. Her dedication to these causes is deeply rooted in her belief that art is not just a means of personal expression but a powerful tool for social change.

As she looks to the future, she remains committed to using her art to inspire, heal, and empower. She embodies the belief that true artistry lies not just in the creation of beauty but in the ability to make a tangible impact on others.

NOW READ

The Odd Corner: Kean Cipriano on why backing up the ‘odd creatures’ matters in today’s OPM industry

On trauma, Oscars campaign, and more: Carl Papa talks about ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’

Unique Salonga: On music, artistry, ‘Daisy’