“Farmer lang ako.” This was Randy Gawwi’s answer when asked what kind of artist he considers himself to be. We met with yet again another humble virtuoso who found his way to Baguio City all the way from Banawe, Ifugao. With his recent installation, the gigantic bamboo bird’s nest, seen at the “Kulay ng Siglo” art exhibit during the Entacool Festival in Dominican Hill (formerly Diplomat Hotel) in November, everyone wants to know who he is and how he started with his craft. Baguio folks, meet Randy Gawwi, “ang magsasaka ng sining.”
From construction to art installations
Randy is an artist by heart. His father was a wood carver. One could just assume that his first ever inspiration was his dad. But ever since he was young, he already started to dabble on paper. Fast forward to when he grew older. Randy tells the story about the years he spent working in the Middle East as a miner. Of course, he had to earn a living to survive. But when he was far away from home, he felt really homesick and went to art to save him from that loneliness. That is when he started making portraits. And that is also when he found himself wanting more of his craft. Fast forward to when he decided to go home and pursue what he really loves: Art.
Coming home was a choice he had to make. And that includes deciding to do what he loves while thinking of ways on how to get by both in his art and in life. He now does part-time construction work and spends most of his time creating more of his craft. Interestingly enough, Randy had the opportunity to work for renowned artist Kidlat Tahimik. He says that Kidlat would always encourage him to push through with his passion until, in his words, “mahanap mo ang sarili mong dwende.”
Randy Gawwi, his art, and his heart
Thanks to Randy’s installations that are impossible to just transport from one place to another, the team was lucky enough to visit his studio. Being in the midst of an artist in his own space is an unforgettable experience. It’s one thing to look at the finished product but to see those that have been in his studio for a while waiting to be completed by the artists himself is just surreal.
Looking around, you see Randy’s raw wall artworks, t-shirt textile paintings, and lamps of different shapes and sizes. It is as if he is telling a story through each of them. True enough, they do.
Randy uses textile paints for his shirt pieces. He interestingly described them as his “sariling altar.” (We leave that a mystery.) When asked about his inspirations for the designs he puts onto them, he says it comes from anything he sees or anything that happens around him. Randy loves the idea that these shirts can actually be a walking gallery when you wear it around as compared to those that you see in art galleries or exhibits where you are not even allowed to touch them.
For his lamps, he mimics the movement of nature or in his own words, “galaw ng kalikasan.” He uses organic materials because for him, like nature, it’s more relaxing to see. Plus, it’s something that goes with either a modern, classic or ethnic interior. He also has a few baskets that he’s made found around his home and couple more artworks like mugs that you’d want to just take home with you.
Randy’s first ever artwork sold was a painting which was previously displayed in Vocas at La Azotea. His second artwork sold was a T-shirt with his painted design, of course. His message to those who would like to start on their craft: “gawa lang ng gawa.”
Randy on Baguio being a Creative City
This Creative Baguio series features artists in the city whether they be painters, craft artists, tattoo artists, musicians or even accessory makers. And since Baguio has been dubbed as a Creative City by UNESCO, we always ask these artists how it affects them.
Randy says it’s a very good thing for the city but he hopes that this title wouldn’t just be celebrated through events or parties. Artists are now encouraged to do more and he hopes that people would also do more in terms of support for people like him. He says that if it weren’t for friends he wouldn’t be able to get by since he spends so much for his installations. Randy shares his sentiments and says it’s hard to continue without support and he is only driven by the love for what he does.
So the next time we see some of these artists sell their craft, think twice before asking for a discount. These artists put in their time and effort, blood, sweat and even possibly a career he or she has sacrificed just to do finish one piece of work.
Visit Rayon Online Shopping and take a look at more of Randy Gawwi’s art. Support local artists!