Bad Student is known as one of the risograph art printmakers here in the Philippines. Risographs produce quality prints on a shoestring budget, and while known printmakers here are in their 50s or 60s, founders Pau Tiu and Dyam Gonzales are 20-somethings at their peak. Together, they are attempting to bring back forgotten forms to sustain the art of today.
What is your most treasured possession?
Pau: Riso drums.
Dyam: Our Riso machine, McKenzie.
What do you think is the place of Bad Student in contemporary Filipino art?
Pau: Gusto namin ma-acknowledge as printmakers. Like printmakers na nagsimula ng Risograph as an art. As far as we know, kami ’yung first risograph art press. And at the same time, share ‘yung printmaking techniques sa younger audience. We want to have that place na kami ’yung nag-offer ng Risograph dito sa Philippines as an art alternative.
Dyam: Gusto namin magkaroon ng enough credibility behind risography, na siya ’yung bridge between digital. New form of printmaking in an old format.
What’s the hardest part about learning an old art form?
Pau: Wala kaming enough resources. Maghahanap kami online. Lalo na ’yung riso sa Pinas, parang ine-equate lang siya sa Xerox. Since mayroon kaming kaunting knowledge na pwede pala ’tong i-expand itong medium na ’to, kailangan namin mag-reach out sa ibang bansa.
Kaya Bad Student kasi self-taught kami. ’Yung budget namin into learning, napupunta doon sa talagang, doing something, and if everyday mali, it’s unique. ’Yun ang ginagawa namin.
What’s the best and worst thing about being young?
Pau: The freedom to make mistakes, and knowing that failure is inevitable.
Dyam: Same.
Interview by Rogin Losa
Photography by Czar Kristoff
Hair and makeup by Zidjian Floro and Raffy So
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This story was originally published in our 4th Anniversary issue and has been edited for web. The digital copy of Scout’s 32nd issue is accessible here.