I Feel, Waiting, Lying
signed and dated 2013 (lower left)
thread and plastic cover
96" x 54" (244 cm x 137 cm)
Accompanied by a certificate signed by the artist confirming the authenticity of this lot



The works of Raffy Napay are a manifestation of his triumph over tragedy as an artist. As the middle child of a tricycle driver and a seamstress, art was not a mere hobby for the young artist. He grew up painting and participating in contests as a way to support his family. After some time, he experienced respiratory problems with oil and acrylic paints, his original chosen medium, which led him to explore a new material - thread.Through this medium, Napay weaved his canvases not only with intricate details but also with visual poetry. He is able to see the creative process behind the threads and fabrics, which he found to be closely comparable to the use of paint - from early ideation to the finishing touches on an artwork. And, he would look at his canvas as he would a painting, producing stunning pieces that uniquely explore depth and complexity than simply miming light.This 2015 piece, in fact, shows that no other Filipino artist today has elevated the art of needlework into such a remarkable accomplishment. In the year this gigantic piece was made, Napay held two notable exhibitions, a one-man show at Art Stage Singapore and a solo exhibit titled Sanctuary at the Ateneo Art Gallery. (P.I.R.)