A Filipino visual artist based in Dubai has earned international recognition after winning The Art Circle Award 2025 in Abu Dhabi, marking a milestone both for his career and for the Filipino creative community in the UAE. Romeo “Romy” Robis, a Senior Designer and visual artist originally from Manila, was honored for his artwork In Focus, a piece inspired by the interplay of structure, intuition, and shifting perception.
Robis said the award was “truly amazing and humbling,” describing the moment as both emotional and affirming. He said it strengthened his commitment to creating art that connects with people and motivates him “to continue my creative journey.”
A graduate of the Technological University of the Philippines – College of Fine Arts, Robis has built his career as a designer and storyteller through visuals. He said his work draws from varied influences—including animation, manga, contemporary graphic design, fine art, and photography—while remaining grounded in themes of human emotion, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Whether working digitally or on canvas, his pieces aim to invite viewers to look closer and find meaning in ordinary moments.
His winning work In Focus was created for a competition themed around Bauhaus principles and Arab modernism, exploring how a single dot evolves into lines, planes, and structures that express balance and rhythm. Robis said the piece examines how clarity and uncertainty often unfold side by side, echoing the shifts in how people perceive and rediscover meaning. He described it as “a quiet reminder that even in moments of uncertainty, there is beauty in both holding on and letting go.”
The Art Circle, a UAE-based non-profit network of international art collectors and art-passionate women, organized the award to promote artists and institutions connected to the MENASA region.
Robis said living in Dubai has significantly influenced his artistic growth, crediting the city’s diverse culture and architectural energy for pushing him to experiment and blend styles. He noted that visibility in the UAE’s competitive art scene can be challenging for Filipino artists, but added that overcoming these barriers has strengthened both his voice and determination to represent Filipino creativity abroad.
He encourages fellow OFWs and aspiring artists to keep creating despite the demands of full-time work. “Believe in your craft, your potential, and keep creating,” he said, adding that personal stories and cultural roots are “your greatest strength and source of authenticity.”
Robis said he is exploring upcoming international competitions, exhibitions, and collaborations following his win, sharing that more projects are in the pipeline as he continues to expand his presence in the global art community.
