While illustration borrows elements from fine arts, its versatility across media, industries, and genres makes it a perfect medium for world-building
Creatives have—and have always had—the most Herculean of tasks: building new worlds.
World-building is often associated with fantasy and sci-fi, and franchises like “Game of Thrones” and “Star Wars.” But world-building isn’t limited to cinematic forms of storytelling. Think of the last time you lost yourself in a song, movie, or a work of art. The maker behind these works carefully constructed it to elicit a specific emotion. French painter Edgar Dégas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Illustration, the practice of telling stories through drawings, makes these imaginative landscapes visual. While illustration borrows elements from fine arts, its versatility across media, industries, and genres makes it a perfect medium for world-building. With just their pens or drawing software, illustrators craft environments, scenes, and stories that transport us out of daily life, even momentarily.
READ: Fernando Amorsolo: A refresher on the first-ever Filipino National Artist
Here, seven Filipino illustrators filter the world through their eyes. And the resulting interpretation is a visual feast that pulls us into their own realms.
Paulina Almira
Paulina Almira made a name for herself in the international illustration community through lusciously surreal illustrations that often include tropical flora, architectural forms reminiscent of M.C. Escher, and the occasional floating eyeball.
The Filipina illustrator has worked with clients like Vogue, The Rolling Stones, and the New York Times. Her influences are as eclectic as her clientele: H.P. Lovecraft’s horror stories, Barbie, nostalgia, and the Philippines’ many islands. “If you close your eyes and pick a random island in the Philippines, I guarantee you’ll find the most beautiful beach you’ve ever seen.”
Almira’s body of work is otherworldly yet her artistic aspirations are firmly rooted in the Earth. Though for her, illustration doesn’t offer an outlet to create new worlds but a way to positively change this one.
Hey Mady
What happens when you combine Japanese minimalism and the Filipino penchant for filling every corner in a space? Hey Mady’s work features isometric drawings of interiors and exteriors of homes brimming with personal effects. These are little worlds we’d all love to crawl into—and clients like Muji Philippines, Nike, and BratPack seem to agree.
Hey Mady’s illustrations contain a strong point of view yet she took some time to get there. This Filipino illustrator made her first perspective drawings during lunch breaks at her previous job. “I wanted to see if I can do perspective drawings because I am not a huge fan of them.” What started out as an art challenge turned into her signature style.
“Challenge yourself whenever you’re trying to find your style.” Hey Mady reflects. “Always remember it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s crucial to create work that resonates with you first, before expecting others to appreciate it.”
JC Lo
An architect by profession, JC Lo draws urban scenes that explore nostalgia and melancholy using rich colors. He enjoyed drawing and art growing up but took a break from it during college to focus on architecture. “I rediscovered my love for it during the pandemic.” Now, he is active in the illustration fair and conventions community.
Lo focuses on solitude and the need for quiet and reflection in this modern world. He cites painters Edward Hopper and Vincent Van Gogh as his main sources of inspiration. Hopper paints scenes of urban loneliness, while Van Gogh uses vibrant colors and textures. Though, he infuses his observations of Southeast Asian scenes in his work.
“I’m usually motivated by the idea of conveying emotions and connecting with people through my work,” Lo says. “It feels good to transform a concept into something tangible that others can experience.”
Alyssa Babasa
Humor and playfulness are often underrated tools in a creative’s skillset. Yet, Alyssa Babasa wields these masterfully in her quirky illustrations of daily Filipino life. By paying attention to how ants crawl up legs, or the chaos on the metro’s overpasses, Babasa makes a case of finding lightness in our mundane life. This Filipino illustrator’s inspirations include graphic novels like “Blankets” by Craig Thompson and “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi.
Prior to illustrating full-time, Babasa worked in advertising as an art director. She notes the recent shifts in the industry, given the rise of events and fairs like the Manila Illustration Fair and the Manila Comics Fair. “It’s an exciting time to be an illustrator in the Philippines. More institutions, brands, and businesses are open to collaborations.”
Kenny Tai
You’ve probably seen Kenny Tai’s tongue-in-cheek work in consignment shops and fairs across the metro. Tai is the mind behind Manila Girls, an illustration series that personifies the neighborhoods and cities of Metro Manila. In Manila Girls, Makati is an animal print-wearing girl boss, while Intramuros is a demure girl in Filipiniana attire.
Creating one Manila Girl involves a lot of research and thought. “As a wallflower growing up, I spent a lot of time observing others,” Tai explains. “I would study the distinct characteristics of each district, delving into their cultural histories and nuances.”
The Filipino illustrator’s work also goes beyond observation humor; she’s also motivated by heritage advocacy. “History can often seem formal and academic,” Tai says. “But, by personifying the districts as characters, I aim to make it more relatable and engaging.” By showcasing a vibrant, cartoon-inspired world through Manila Girls, Tai compels us to turn our attention to the world in front of us.
Allyss Dualan
By day, Allyss Dualan is a health practitioner. By night, she illustrates. When Dualan was in college, she and her friend were enrolled in the same medical course. Her friend decided to shift to visual communication, but Dualan continued with her studies. “Throughout the years, this friend helped me realize there’s something I could move towards in illustration.”
Now, Dualan illustrates nostalgic and whimsical characters using traditional media, like gouache paint and coloring pencils. Before setting pen to paper, she asks herself, “What do you want to see? What do you want to bring into this world?” Illustration allows her to add meaning to the monotony of daily life and to document her thoughts and feelings at a given time.
Kieltokki
They say a picture says a thousand words; it can also hold a thousand emotions. Kieltokki illustrates tender moments that represent and celebrate queer love. He explores themes such as melancholy, longing, and nostalgia. “I tried creating these two male characters (yet to be named) and putting them in different scenes,” Kieltokki says. “It really is a goal of mine to make my own B.L. someday.”
Like several creatives, Kieltokki rediscovered his love for illustration during the pandemic. He credits his continued illustration practice to the art community: “It’s really good to immerse yourself with other creatives with different visions and experiences.” Building a community with like-minded folk helps illustrators sustain their artistic practice and even take it to new heights.
These Filipino illustrators exemplify the adage, “Make the work you want to see in the world.” Some illustrators use their craft to further causes close to their heart and others use it to nurture connections with others.
After all, the power of art–whether illustration, music, or writing–rests in its ability to make thoughts, feelings, and dreams real. What happens in the world influences art yet our art can also create tangible change in the world.