Biography
Archie Oclos was born in 1989 in the Philippines into a farming family that migrated to Manila when he was nine. Despite his family's precarious situation, he earned a scholarship to a science high school and later studied fine arts at the University of the Philippines (UP Diliman), supporting himself by working as a photographer's assistant. After a few years as a visual concept designer at EA Games and Disney, he chose to dedicate his career to socially engaged mural art.
His artistic practice centers on the invisible communities of Philippine society: farmers, Lumad indigenous peoples, precarious workers. He describes himself as a provocateur who uses murals to expose injustice and amplify marginalized voices. His works, often monumental, combine precise figurative drawing with references to local visual traditions, rendered in a dark and contrasted palette.
Recipient of the Thirteen Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (2018) and the Fernando Zobel Prize at the Ateneo Art Awards (2019), he was also twice cited in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2017 and 2018). His works can be found at BGC, Saint-Benilde, the CCP and in several cities across the Philippines. His activism has drawn threats and intimidation, which he transforms into creative fuel.
His artistic practice centers on the invisible communities of Philippine society: farmers, Lumad indigenous peoples, precarious workers. He describes himself as a provocateur who uses murals to expose injustice and amplify marginalized voices. His works, often monumental, combine precise figurative drawing with references to local visual traditions, rendered in a dark and contrasted palette.
Recipient of the Thirteen Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (2018) and the Fernando Zobel Prize at the Ateneo Art Awards (2019), he was also twice cited in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2017 and 2018). His works can be found at BGC, Saint-Benilde, the CCP and in several cities across the Philippines. His activism has drawn threats and intimidation, which he transforms into creative fuel.
The site contains a total of 1 artworks by Archie Oclos in 1 countries.
