Racso Jugarap’s Sculptural Language In Motion At Asia Now

PARIS, France—Rooted in craft and ever in motion, Racso Jugarap’s art finds new ground in Paris—an embodiment of this year’s Asia Now theme, “Grow.” Presented by Galerie 208 at the Monnaie de Paris, Jugarap’s participation at the Asia Now 11th Edition (October 22–26, 2025) celebrates transformation, identity, and the boundless resilience of Filipino artistry. His delicate yet powerful wire sculptures stand as living metaphors for growth—bridging craft, culture, and contemporary vision.

The Philippine Embassy in Paris showed its support during the fair’s opening, with H.E. Ambassador Eduardo Jose A. De Vega, Vice-Consul Jackielou-Mary Gan, and Third Secretary and Vice-Consul Miko Cabatingan joining Racso Jugarap at the Cour Mansart. Their presence reflected the Embassy’s pride in seeing Filipino creativity celebrated on the international stage.

Photo: Philippine Embassy-France

Speaking with Agathe Fumey, project manager at Galerie 208, she reflected on the meaning behind Jugarap’s presence at the fair.

“It’s about growth,” she said. “But most of his work is about movement and the duality between the fragile and the firmness of an element. For example, with this series — Echinoid — it’s inspired by the sea urchins found in the Philippines, where he was born. That perfectly illustrates the theme of Asia Now Art Fair because an urchin can adapt and transform at any time, just like the artist who moves and evolves depending on the show and the moment. His culture is about movement and resilience — like an urchin, we are forced to adapt, to grow, to change our ways, and become someone else.”

Despite the long walk to the far end of Cour Mansart, passing through stands of vivid paintings, sculptural assemblages, textiles, and installations, a sudden flicker of gold against the sun told me I had arrived. There, on a pristine white pedestal, stood Racso’s works — black, feathery urchin-shaped forms crowned with teardrops of flowing gold leaf. They immediately pulled me in, just as they did when I first saw them at the Palais de Tokyo last year, where Jugarap was a finalist for the Loewe Foundtion Craft Prize 2024. To my surprise, there were more: one suspended in mid-air, three mounted on the wall, a square-caged piece resting on the floor, another seemingly trapped in a rectangular frame, and four Echinoids that subtly shifted form as I moved around them. Each sculpture seemed alive — responding to light, space, and movement — impossible to pin down, quietly breathing in their own rhythm.

For Jugarap, participating in Asia Now was more than a professional milestone — it was personal fulfillment. “Honestly, sobrang special ng experience,” he said with a quiet smile. “A few years ago, I remember just visiting Asia Now as a guest, wishing one day I could also be part of it. Kaya ngayong nandito na ako, parang full-circle moment siya. The most memorable part would be reconnecting with old creative friends who are also showing this year, and meeting new ones. Ang dami kong na-discover na artists at interesting works — nakaka-inspire talaga.”

Photo: Mikey Sanchez

That sense of connection runs through both his words and his art. The selection of works he brought to Paris — a mix of earlier and recent pieces — forms a dialogue between his two worlds. “Pinili ko ‘yung mga pieces na nagre-represent ng mga alaala ko sa Pilipinas pero nabuo at hinubog ko dito sa Europe,” he explained. “Parang conversation siya between two worlds, kung saan ako nanggaling at kung nasaan ako ngayon.”

In the luminous courtyard of Monnaie de Paris, Jugarap’s sculptures — intricate webs of wire that seem to levitate in air — stand as quiet testaments to patience, discipline, and introspection. Each thread he twists and bends becomes, in his words, a metaphor for growth. “For me, growth and cultural exchange happen quietly, layer by layer, parang sa proseso ng paggawa ko ng wire sculpture,” he reflected. “Each thread represents connection, understanding, and transformation. As a Filipino living in Europe, dala ko lagi ‘yung mga kwento, ugat, at sensibilidad ng pinanggalingan ko, pero natututo rin ako sa bagong environment ko. So the work becomes a meeting point between memory and change, silence and discovery.”

His creative evolution, though deeply personal, unfolds under a global gaze. “Actually, dito sa Europe ako unang nagsimula mag-exhibit, so the audience here has seen my growth from the beginning,” he said. “Maganda ang naging pagtanggap nila. Sa Asia naman, mas bago pa lang ako nag-e-exhibit, so I’m still learning how people there see my work. Pero nakakatuwa kasi pareho silang may curiosity at appreciation sa craftsmanship, kahit magkaiba ang cultural lens.”

After Asia Now, Jugarap plans to return to his studio in Belgium — re-energized and eager to continue exploring new directions. “Pagkatapos ng fair, babalik muna ako sa studio para ipagpatuloy ‘yung mga naka-line up na projects at maghanda for next year’s shows sa US at Asia,” he shared. “We’re also exploring public artworks now, which is something I’m really excited about. At pagkatapos ng Asia Now, I also felt inspired to try exploring performance — how movement and presence can interact with my wire works.”

Through each exhibition, Jugarap affirms the quiet strength of craft — and the resonance of stories forged by hand. In his sculptures, wire is not merely a medium but a language, one that speaks of endurance, heritage, and the fragile ties that connect us all.

Cover image: Mikey Sanchez (composited by TFCN)