Artists are of a different breed. They know that they can create something that can spark an emotion, that vibe that’s rarely tapped into. Of course, we can rely on music and movies but there’s that something when you stare at someone’s painting or sculpture. It’s like the artist is saying something to you directly–that’s the beauty of it.
Lynyrd Paras is an artist whose dark approach has taken the local and the international scene by storm. Surely, his works may have seen critical acclaim through his collabs with DBTK, Secret Fresh and countless exhibits in and out of the country, but then it’s that thought provoking vibe of his pieces that resonate with us.
As grim and as dark as they look, they impose questions and statements that provoke the mind. If that’s not art, I don’t know what is. After all, pursuing an art form is one way of finding enlightenment.
Anyway, grab a cup of coffee as we pick the mind of artist extraordinaire Lynyrd Paras…
Can you share with us how you got into art? Were you into comics and cartoons? What inspired you?
Fine arts student ako noon, Major in Advertising. Lahat ng plates ko iba-iba ang result. Matigas kase ang ulo ko, lalo sa rules ng mga pinapagawa. May isang project kami nun watercolor yung medium hindi ko alam kung sobrang nag enjoy ba ko o hindi lang talaga ako marunong mag watercolor.
Butas butas yung papel ko nun, pero nagagandahan ako–yun pa din ang pinasa ko. That time nakikita na pala ng prof ko yung mga gawa ko, kinausap niya ko na hindi pang-advertising yung ginagawa ko.
Sinama niya ako sa isang gallery, 2nd year ako nun. Tinanggap naman yung mga gawa ko pero sabi sakin: “Hindi ko to tinanggap dahil gusto ko yung mga gawa mo ngayon, pero alam ko may mangyayari sa future kase nakikita ko may puso ka.” Simula nun, hindi na ko tumigil gumawa ng art and mas namulat ako.
We see your works as dark and very thought provoking, how does your creative process go?
Lahat ng work ko umiikot lang yan sa mga nangyayari sa akin at sa ating lahat. Resulta ng reaction natin kapag inaatake tayo ng mundo or kung inaatake tayo ng sarili natin. pwedeng negatibo, pwedeng positibo.
We also see that you love music, do you see them as sources of inspiration for your works?
Hindi ako nakakagawa ng walang music, pero depende pa din yun sa kung ano yung pinapakinggan ko. hindi ako sarado sa isang uri ng music lang.
Can you name your top 5 influences? Artists, albums, people even will do.
1. Lorenza Villanueva (My Lola)
2. Joy Division
3. Bob Dylan
4. Sakripisyo at Paghihirap ng nanay ko.
5. Eugene Jarque, ang nagmulat sakin sa art at pinakatunay na artist na kilala ko.
How does a normal day for you go? Especially now?
Sa ngayon, limitado ang liwanag sa mata ko, pero mulat ako sa dilim.
What’s the usual outfit for Lynyrd Paras whenever he goes out?
Lagi lang ako naka all black, minsan lang ako mag grey or white. kahit anong outfit basta ganyan lang.
Among your works, what is that piece that you’re most proud of? Feel free to name more than 1.
If your works were given a soundtrack, who would you want to write the songs for it?
Ian Curtis of Joy Division.
Your message to our readers, anything to promote?
Hindi lahat ng gusto mo dapat makuha mo. Hindi lahat ng bagay na kaya mo gagawin mo. Tumingin ka sa langit wala dun ang sagot nasa loob mo.
Thank you Lynyrd!
While we are on the topic of art, have you seen this guy who customizes Funko Pops? Talent on another level! Read about him here!
