30 January 2016, 4:20 pm
– TALENT
alone will not suffice for artists to be recognized in the industry, according
to the lone artist licensed to paint interpretative pieces for the Star Wars
movie franchise.
Rodel Gonzales, who studied in UST, said there were no shortcuts to
success in the art industry.
“You may be the biggest
fish in the lake, but once you step in the international scene, you’re the
smallest one in the ocean,” Gonzales told the Varsitarian at
the sidelines of an exhibit featuring some of his Star Wars pieces at the Hard
Rock Café in Glorietta Mall last Jan. 29.
The exhibit featured
interpretative pieces of jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Yoda, as well as Rey
and BB-8, characters from the recent Star Wars movie.
From Stormtroopers
riding in battle to stoic portraits of Darth Vader, each piece captures the
essence of the movie series that many have learned to love.
Gonzales said he
returned to Philippines following his exhibit last year at the Bonifacio High
Street cinemas not only to showcase his paintings, but also to meet his
Filipino fans.
According to him, his
journey so far has been surreal and he considers everyday as a humbling
experience.
He shared some of his
experiences like meeting actors Daisy Ridley and John Boyega of Star Wars
Episode VII at the San Diego Comic Con last year.
Gonzales noted that the
Philippines is home to several artists, who, if given opportunities, would be
capable of doing great artworks.
He studied at the former
UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts from 1976 to 1978 and finished his
courses at the Philippine School of Interior Design.M. C. A. Inay and V.
A. Ocampo
