“These art masks aren’t for hiding, I create masks as a trophy of what I have survived [from]. Also telling people that we shouldn't be afraid to experience the dark side and become a star that overcomes it. Hoping to achieve more-detailed artworks, improving craftsmanship in sculpting, more art commissions and greater opportunities to showcase my works.” says our local mask sculptor when it boiled down to the best description of their art.
Tales as old as time have always recalled masks as façades or shades that hide the beauty of its wearer. However, through various creative decorations, masks can also be what can uplift the true beauty both internally and externally of its wearer and our resident creative Dhel Ramirez finds themselves in tune with just that.
Who is Dhel Ramirez?
Ramirez practices the art that is sculpting art masks, they describe their process by sculpting with air dry clay and recycled materials, motivated by their desire to create a story for each character they have chosen to portray.
As like many other artists, they find themselves in perfectionists’ routes while creating their artworks; “the output should be somehow close 80-90% accurate according to my goal sketches and/or ideas in my head. Below the percentage, I might be crazy to push it a lot more closer to the look/vibe/imagery I desired,” Ramirez expressed.
Somewhat like a calling, Ramirez looks back on their nursery years and how they grew up watching their father sketch and tell them stories which have possibly ignited their creative spark. After practicing editorial cartooning for their grade school to high school years and becoming deeply fascinated with watching various anime shows and art videos on YouTube as a medium for self-teaching, the artist within then prevailed while taking on sidelines in different school’s or student projects.
“Since I was a kid, I love inventing toys we can't afford, recycling garbages into useful things is my happiness that time. Relieving depression, been a self-taught prop-crafter in a church-based theater. Until I discovered working with airdryclay back in July 2019 turning it into an artmask-- an obra.”
Later, the artist came to realize that their way of creating art masks has become their way of surviving mentally, “Aside from fun and creativity, that's the top priority I got in my mind,” they further explain. Along with their grave interest in Gore and horror, it rooted as an inspiration for most-if not all, masks they have produced.
Recognizing Tim Burton as their wake-up call of an artist in terms of inspiration, Ramirez also expresses their admiration for artists like Immortal Mask, Mothmeister, Tina Yu, Jim Mckenzie, Joyce Spakman, Manix Abrera, Ace of Clay for their visionaries.
In the coming years ahead, art enthusiasts of Dhel Ramirez may expect collaborations with various mediums (film, pictorials, art references), and even an exhibit after they create a hundred of their creations from 2019 up to now. Stay updated through their Instagram pages (@obraketero, @dhelyuu) or Facebook page (DH EL Ramirez).
━━ Art By Metroscene Mag
