The Force is strong in Rodel Gonzalez’s ‘Star Wars’ art
Before he became known as the only Filipino with licenses to reproduce the art of Disney and Lucasfilms, Rodel Gonzalez was once the front man and founder of the long- standing show band Side A. He wrote the songs Eva Marie and ’Di Pa Huli when he was in his 20s; and although there was success and fulfillment in that stage of his life, Rodel says that it also triggered a longing for a deeper connection with his audience.
In 1994, he became a minister, and on the side, he reignited his love for art by doing commissioned portraits, murals, and sketches for friends and acquaintances. Art, after all, was always present in his life. He majored in painting at the University of Santo Tomas, and went on to earn a degree in interior design from the Philippine School of Interior Design. He was also exposed to art early in his childhood — from his father Rick Gonzalez, and his grandfather Felix Gonzalez, both artist progenitors who taught him not to be intimidated by paint. It is this early training that provided him with the skill and discipline to pursue an artistic path.
When Rodel left Manila for Oahu, Hawaii in 2002, he was finally pursuing a career in painting. In one of the exhibits, some Disney executives had dropped by and, impressed by his craftsmanship, offered him the license to produce interpretative Disney art. He had become such a success for Disney that his name became part of the Collectors Edition Artists of the animation company and he was renowned for his work as a Disney Fine Art artist. And when Disney bought the Star Wars franchise, they offered him a license in 2013 to do Star Wars artworks as well. Quite an achievement because only a few artists are granted licenses to reproduce such work.
Today, he remains the only Filipino Licensed Artist allowed to carry the work of Disney and Lucasfilms, and George Lucas himself even owns four of Rodel’s pieces from his first Star Wars collection. He doesn’t take the opportunity for granted either. Since Star Wars fans are so keen about the details, he continually studies the mechanisms of the ships dutifully. He is also very careful about the details of each character — all in the name of producing artwork that pays homage to the original.
Currently, Rodel’s Star Wars collection are on view at the modern Swatch & Swatch Center in Makati, a space that has continuously reshaped its walls as a home for many artists and their artwork, especially those who are looking for a venue to exhibit their fresh and radical work. Swatch has always given recognition and support to local artists making waves in both the local and international art scene, and here, they have found reason to celebrate the work of Rodel Gonzalez, whose mark in the world of Star Wars art is definitely buzz-worthy.