ART | Ryle RAMIREZ | Artistic Journey

My art practice is a reflection of my journey as a late-teen Filipino immigrant, shaped by the complexities of identity, existential crises, and societal ideations - all with a touch of ADHD-fueled creativity. At 17, prelude to my migration to Canada in 2015, I was able to grow up amidst a community of creatives. I was immersed in the world of design, materials, and the logistics of artistic production from a very young age.  This early exposure instilled in me a deep appreciation for the process of creation through MATA-MATA (Cebuano terminology, “keen observation”, “visionary insight”) and a deep desire to translate my lived experiences into an experimental collage of abstracted and figurative moments- across a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture & installations. I construct visual narratives that explore the fragmented sense of self that often accompanies the immigrant experience. The fragmentation and reassembly of forms, colors, and textures serve as a metaphor for the dissonance between individual identity and societal expectations, as I grapple with issues of cultural displacement and existential questioning.

Rooted in my upbringing, my art practice has been nurtured and recognized through various programs and accolades, including the Royal Bank of Canada's (RBC) Emerging Visual Artist Program and the Toronto Dominion Bank's (TD) Incubator Program through Arts Commons in Calgary, Alberta. These opportunities have provided me with the platform to further develop and share my unique perspective, one that is informed by a lifetime of immersion in creative environments and the challenges of navigating the immigrant experience.

Through this multifaceted approach, I invite the viewer to engage with the raw, unfiltered moments that shape my artistic journey - a tapestry of experiences woven with cultural influences, personal introspection, and a touch of ADHD-fueled creativity. By embracing the dynamic interplay of abstraction and figuration, my work seeks to confront the nihilistic ideations that often arise from the dissonance between individual identity and societal perceptions, offering a visceral and introspective exploration of the lived experiences of a late-teen Filipino immigrant.

More about the Artist

RAMIREZ  has been granted a long list of opportunities that includes a Duo Exhibit (Sunburnt Throat: Discovering Commonalities) with Harvey Nichol @ cSPACE, a showcasing event @ the  Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Gala Night , an Artist Residency @ Arts Commons through their RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program & TD Incubator Program ,  A Group Exhibit, "MALAYA" (translation: "Freedom") , at The Philippine Consulate in Calgary,   a YouTube web-series feature with Calgary Arts Development, YYC Living a Creative Life, and magazine features with the Second Issue of Create Calgary Magazine (written by Haider Ali) and Mabuhay Calgary Publication

Featured

Intentions

Intentions Project is a collaboration piece with Jake Warren (Photographer & Cinematographer) and MOSS (Painter, Poet & SongWriter), embarked on the creation of this thought-provoking soundscape project titled, Intentions. Our aim was to shine a light on the moments and snippets of life that we often overlook while pursuing our individual purposes. Through this project, we sought to uncover the subtle and profound beauties that life has to offer, guided by sincere and positive intentions.

the places we’ve left behind

Exhibited in Arts Commons' Window Galleries, Ryle Ramirez's unwavering commitment to the Arts got realized by presenting his life's work within a 4-month long exhibit. Titled: "the places we've left behind'.

The 3-set exhibit shares Ryle's thoughts and reflections on the power of memories and the colourful journey of his artistic pursuit. The 3-set title's to his exhibit, "then", "now'' and "the next", were unknown to the public at the time of the exhibit due to Ryle's purposeful play of "let the audience figure it out"

Culmination: MALAYA

The group exhibition, MALAYA, culminates the works of six promising Filipino artists at a downtown Calgary showcase June of 2023. These artists, Day Pajarillo, Audere Santos, Thea Galang, Ryle Ramirez, Gladzy Kei, and the Filipinx Kasaganaan Artist Collective of Calgary, have come together to express their unique interpretations of freedom through more than 20 diverse art pieces, representing a variety of styles and genres.

MALAYA | Filipino Heritage Month

MALAYA, which means "Freedom," will showcase more than 20 art pieces from six up-and-coming artists, Day Pajarillo, Audere Santos, Thea Galang, Ryle Ramirez, Gladzy Kei, and the Filipinx Kasaganaan Artist Collective of Calgary. The exhibit is part of the Philippine Consulate's celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence, as well as the Filipino Heritage Month in Alberta and Saskatchewan this June.

Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers : Diversity in the City Gala

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers 2022 Diversity in the City Gala was a resounding success! Over 220 attendees mingled, reconnected, and listened to the stories of persons of colour from all walks of life. We were encouraged to see representation and allyship from national firms to solo practitioners, partners and associates.

Culmination: SUNBURNT THROAT

Harvey Nichol and Ryle Ramirez's Sunburnt Throat: Discovering Commonalities reception night culminated with tremendous success and incredible turnout! Calgary delivered!