The raw world of Teofilo Y. Mendoza

When naif artists—sometimes also called naive artists—create, they rely only on their instinct and passion for art.

- By CECILE J. BALTASAR

When naif artists—sometimes also called naive artists—create, they rely only on their instinct and passion for art. These artists go without formal training and prefer it that way. As a result, their work is not limited by techniques or rules. They go by the demands of their creativity, and the world is all the better for it.

The Philippines has numerous naif artists, with many of them going under the radar, preferring to create art only for their family and friends. Teofilo Y. Mendoza (1935-2006), however, chose to express himself in the public eye. For decades, Filipinos have been blessed with Mendoza's extremely detailed works, all of which serve as a narration of his life.

To celebrate his raw talent, Gallery Genesis—a longtime champion of Filipino artists—launched the art book Teofilo Y. Mendoza's Expressionist Folklore last August 8, 2025. Written by Igan D'Bayan and edited by Cid Reyes, the book is, essentially, the prose form of Mendoza's works, featuring over 500 pieces of Mendoza's work.