Iggy Rodriguez

One of the 2009 CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee makes visual art that focuses on Philippine socio-political setting. He was an advertising major at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts. He works collaboratively with UGATLahi, an organization of visual artists in the Philippines, on governmental effigies and installations. This politically inclined artist already had his first solo exhibit entitled Kimi Imik that showcased his drawings and paintings with social sentiments and struggles of the people. The artist I am referring to is Raul Ignacio “Iggy” Rodriguez.

Iggy’s ballpoint drawings reconstruct urban backgrounds that are mysterious in nature. Most of his untitled drawings show our society in swerving paths. Some contain a man made with fire or wind; or an urbanized setting with governmental flaws depicted by struggling Filipinos.  His drawings are surreal encompassed in daily Filipino activities. I try my best to illustrate what each artwork depicts and most of them go beyond imagination. One of his drawings shows an old man lifting a junk of problems. Drawn only with ink, it manifests Filipinos that are tired enough of everyday dilemmas. Objects seen in that artwork include a ladder, a television, a shield, and a gear. Another drawing shows a blindfolded drunkard signifying the corrupt men in our administration. It sits at the back of a large pig situated somewhere in a graveyard. It illustrates their greed in money and power despite the helpless plight of our fellowmen.

Iggy’s life has already been overshadowed by his illegal arrest along with six other activists last May 2009 due to their protest against the demolition of houses in Sucat, Parañaque. No surprise why his works portray his resentment toward the administration.

The artworks of Iggy remind and let us fully realize the afflictions our nation has been experiencing. Iggy said in one interview, “Let us not limit ourselves; nothing is given to us naturally, it all starts in asking questions but eventually, we have to answer the ultimate question, ‘For whom do we offer our work?” Certainly, in his view as a social realist, he meant that we should be more vigorous and attentive regarding the socially inflicted problems and that we should live for the people and not just with the people.