Ronald Ventura on the rise of individuality in modern art

Acclaimed Filipino contemporary artist Ronald Ventura writes that art must respond to the tumultuous times with a return to individualism.

Contemporary Filipino art is garnering increased global recognition, yet now is not the moment to grow complacent or take our achievements for granted.

The ever-evolving nature of contemporary art reflects the prevailing spirit or mood of the present, and our current reality is marked by chaos and rapid changes. In this digital age, where events unfold simultaneously and we have access to a world of information at our fingertips, no single movement or school of thought can dominate the landscape of contemporary art.

It’s also a crucial time for introspection. As artists, we must approach this era with a fresh perspective, as if introducing ourselves anew. What are our personal narratives? What drives us? What unique experiences shape our individual artistic expressions?

“As artists, we must approach this era with a fresh perspective, as if introducing ourselves anew. What are our personal narratives? What drives us? What unique experiences shape our individual artistic expressions?”

- Ronald Ventura -

Our focus should be on sharing our distinct voices. No longer confined to the constraints of a single art movement, we empower ourselves by embracing our individual inclinations. Through this, we invite others to recognise the parallels in our journeys—the collective traumas we’ve faced, along with the shared triumphs we’ve celebrated.

In prioritising individuality, we foster a more inclusive and dynamic artistic landscape that transcends traditional boundaries.

When I was starting out in the Philippine art scene, artists fell into categories: abstractionists, conceptual artists, or social realists. The exciting styles, strategies and approaches to art that fell in between those movements were relegated to the margins. But nowadays, genres are legion. It is hard to keep track. That’s why we should focus on the individual.

What statements do we want to make? What images and ideas do we harbour that cannot be expressed in words? How can we create something revelatory when we are still inside the boxes we were forced into?

“In prioritising individuality, we foster a more inclusive and dynamic artistic landscape that transcends traditional boundaries.”

- Ronald Ventura -

In the postmodern era, the death of art movements is seen not as a loss but as a natural evolution. Postmodernism rejects the idea of a grand narrative or a universal truth, encouraging a multiplicity of voices and perspectives. The solitary artist embodies this postmodern ethos, navigating the complexities of contemporary existence without the constraints of a predetermined artistic ideology.

Thus, the solitary artist is no longer confined by the expectations of a collective; instead, each navigates his or her own creative journey independently, embracing a more personal and introspective approach. There is so much possibility out there.

An intriguing parallel can be drawn between art and beauty pageants. In the past, participants representing their respective countries were often confined to predetermined archetypes, expected to embody the stereotypical image of a woman from their homeland. However, times have changed. Today, the concept of beauty has evolved into a nuanced and multifaceted phenomenon, defying easy categorization and presenting a far more dynamic and captivating landscape. This transformation mirrors the evolving nature of art and the fluidity seen in discussions around gender. The swifter the acceptance of these shifts, the more rapidly we witness profound developments unfold.

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Chaos is happening around us in real-time. We have to respond to it accordingly.

We can’t be like baristas that create the same type of flower in their latté art. We should imagine our own individual flower. The painters who use the same technique or process as others fall into the same trap.

Ultimately, the death of art movements is not a mournful event but a celebration of the individual spirit.

And there will always be an empty surface or space for artists to fill. By doing so, we are introducing ourselves—once more, with feeling.

Ronald Ventura is an award-winning contemporary artist from the Philippines who is considered one of the leading figures of Southeast Asian art. His painting titled “Grayhound” sold for US$1 million at the 2011 Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings auction in Hong Kong, making him the highest-selling Southeast Asian artist. In 2023 he mounted three shows exploring the philosophy of mobility, at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, at the Ayala Museum and at Salcedo Auctions.

This essay is part of Tatler's series of opinion articles from Asia’s Most Influential honourees, featuring a broad range of voices from across the region offering expert perspectives, advice, forecasts and thought leadership.

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The art movements are dead. Long live the solitary artist