Rodel Tapaya

Rodel Tapaya is one of the most acclaimed Filipino artists of his time, known for narrative works that weave together mythology, folklore and contemporary realities. Working across painting, installation and sculpture, he has developed a magical-realist visual language that merges cultural memory with sharp social insight. His international recognition includes major awards such as the APB Signature Art Prize in Singapore and distinctions from the Ateneo Art Awards.

In recent years, Tapaya expanded his storytelling beyond the gallery through publishing. With Istorya Studios, he and his wife, artist Marina Cruz, created the graphic novel ALULONG, which reimagines mythic archetypes for modern audiences. The book became the foundation of his 2025 solo exhibition of the same name at the UP Fine Arts Gallery, where its characters were translated into large-scale visual works.

His collaboration with Cruz was also highlighted in Two for the Road, a 2025 duo exhibition at Istorya Studios marking 25 years of artistic partnership—a creative union that continues to champion Philippine cultural narratives across diverse media.

At Art Fair Philippines 2024, Tapaya launched the TAGPO Story Collection with Bayan ng Ginhaw: Ang Pabrika ng Maskara, continuing his commitment to immersive world-building. He also featured in Web of Being, a group exhibition at Tang Contemporary Art Singapore in 2025. His strong market presence was reinforced when Somewhere Over the Rainbow sold for over USD1.5 million at León Gallery, marking a significant auction milestone.

Tapaya’s storytelling continues to reach wider audiences, including younger readers through a children’s book and an art puzzle based on Ang Batang Maraming Bawal, released at ArteFino 2025. His work remains a testament to imagination’s role in shaping culture—a modern epic of Filipino storytelling in motion.