Rick Hernandez

Rick Hernandez: Tabula Rasa

Text by Hannah Jo Uy

The theory of tabula rasa, Latin for ‘blank slate,’ refers to the unsullied mind before social indoctrination and has been tackled by deep thinkers such as Aristotle and Persian philosopher Avicenna who referred to it as “pure potentiality.” This idea of pure potentiality is what has driven artist Rick Hernandez to consciously reboot his mind for it to be an empty vessel that will be open to receiving the boundless possibilities that exists in the horizon. An appreciation for the inconstancy that marks life itself fuels the artist. Loyal to only the ephemeral ideas that captures his consciousness, Rick opts to break free from the safe confines of a set style and instead let his hands materialize the latest internal musings that have consumed him. “I think my art throws in more questions than answers,” Rick admits, “Questions even I can’t answer. I think that's what unpredictability does to you.”

The willingness to be a beginner time and time again has injected the works of Rick Hernandez with a freshness and a sense of childlike wonder. This is most especially evident in his recent exhibit entitled ‘Table Drawings’ at The Art Alley which will be on display from November 14 to 30, 2015.

In ‘Table Drawings’, Rick opted to use gouache as a creative throwback to the first medium that initiated him into the art world as it brings back fond memories of his college days when he first aimed to familiarize himself with the challenging paint variant. Drawn to the wild characteristic of the medium, which mirrors the capricious and charming nature of his own works, Rick created a collection imbibed with subtle and earthy hues strongly imitating the worn pages of old books and journals stained by intimacy and the passage of time.

The medium greatly complimented the subject matter of flora and fauna which has been a source of inspiration for the artist even at a young age. The meticulous and breathtaking aesthetics of botanical, zoological field notes and other antiquarian imagery have always attracted Rick who was fascinated by its unassuming visual quality. Rick has imbibed his work with the same quality inspired by the distinctive flowers and greenery he saw in Malaysia during his participation at the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale. The images struck him so that upon returning he delved into his own research which became the basis for his current exhibit.

Although retaining a loose and relaxed characteristic, Rick has always managed to guide his work with a firm hand into a unique direction. His willingness to venture to new techniques has managed to stay within the boundaries of whatever concept he is aiming to explore, which provides it with a notable balance of structure and chaos.

An Advertising graduate from the Technological University of the Philippines, Rick had initially viewed painting as nothing more than a subject requirement. After college, Rick got his first job working  as a graphic designer for Ross Capili where he was exposed to the outstanding artists within the local art scene. “Ross has been a great influence in my art, he was the one who pushed me to paint,” says Rick, “He has a way of teaching you how to do things without dictating you. He made me believe that I can do all these things that I'm doing now. More than a mentor he's like a father to me.”

As an artist, Rick is determined to outfit a concept with the most fitting medium that will serve the purpose of his message. “I have this Oscar Wilde quote in my head that goes ‘continuity is the last refuge of the unimaginative,’" Rick confesses, “I'm consistently inconsistent and I’m always trying out new things.” The effect is a truly dynamic and widely diverse artistic portfolio that is set to enthrall viewers for years to come.