C A N VA S
“Most of my artworks are born out of my emotions.
They are honest, intimate expressions of what I really feel.”
Lately, I am obsessed with composing unfinished sketches of faces and
botanical elements pulled out from my old sketchbooks into artworks.
I find the process rather nostalgic; this approach enables the depiction of
expressive narratives with mundane and minimal elements, something
I’ve always wanted to achieve. I guess in broad strokes, my favorite subject
is really myself; the artworks I do are ‘self-portraits’ of my continuing foray
into the concepts of confinement, isolation and longing.
Describe your ideal drawing place.
My ideal drawing place would be at a seaside cottage near Bathurst
Point lighthouse in Rottnest Island, West Australia. It’s also my dream
home. I have always fantasized about living in a beach house, with my
studio oriented towards the sea. There would be drips of paint all over the
wooden floors and stacked frames and canvases on a corner. I imagine it to
be a place that I can relax and be carefree.
Tell us about the bravest thing you did.
This is a tough one. I feel unease
whenever I talk about my depression, but I
feel compelled to share two noteworthy points
in my life where I decided to be brave. First
was when I decided to take up architecture in
college despite my health condition. I didn’t
know how things would work out back
then but I forged on anyway. The second
was when I finally gathered up the courage
to admit to my parents that I needed help
after I tried to take my life one week before
my birthday. These were the instances that
required a lot of courage on my part; the
decision to face my fears and acknowledging
my weaknesses has irrevocably changed me.
I’ve never felt any braver.
More of Rafael's artworks on Instagram @rafaelyapg
50
Contraction series,
graphite on paper