“I am obscene to you, but to myself I simply am,” is one of the most striking quotes from last year’s Guillermo Del Toro adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Inspired by the film, local artist Denver Balbaboco created beautiful and intricate art pieces that evoked the themes and emotions from Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation.
(From left) Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg from “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, Glaiza De Castro as Pirena from “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre,” Gabbi Garcia as Sang’gre Alena in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre,” and Ariana Grande as Glinda in “Wicked” | Art by Denver Balbaboco
Balbaboco is an illustrator and graphic artist based in Antipolo, Rizal. Growing up in a family of artists, he has seen the arts as a big part of his life from an early age. What started as an interest soon became a passion, as he began telling stories through composition and symbolism.
Balbaboco’s art style can be characterized as cinematic. He’s drawn to dramatic compositions, expressive lighting, and symbolism. Just by looking at some of his pieces, certain emotions pop up: confidence, power, serenity, grief, and much more. The colors are vivid and reminiscent of Renaissance paintings.
“Over the years I’ve worked on portrait commissions, fashion illustrations, key art, and book illustrations, but in the last few years I’ve focused more on film posters,” shared Balbaboco in an exclusive interview with SEA Wave.
(From left) Balbaboco’s first Frankenstein piece as used by Netflix, the mural version displayed at Alfred Coffee in Los Angeles, and the Criterion Collection Cover
The artist recently went viral for his Frankenstein fan poster inspired by Michelangelo’s Pietà, which caught the attention of Guillermo del Toro and his team, leading it to be featured as mural art for Alfred Coffee in Los Angeles, USA, earlier this year, and Netflix licensing the artwork for their awards season campaign. This paved the way for for Criterion to commission the artist to create a new illustration for the film’s upcoming home video release.
The Criterion piece—featuring Dr. Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) cradling the wounded creature (Jacob Elordi) in his arms à la Giovanni Battista Tespolo’s Rococo painting “The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew”—is actually his first collaboration with the famous entertainment distributor. “…this isn’t a long-time collaboration. The opportunity came after Guillermo del Toro recommended me to their art director to create a brand-new artwork for the release,” Balbaboco said.
“The atmosphere, the costumes, and the emotion in the characters immediately inspired me. I wasn’t trying to get noticed; I just wanted to make something that reflected what I loved about it,” he added. He also shared that it was a surreal experience since Criterion has always been one of those names that every film lover knows and respects. Now, his piece will be the cover of Frankenstein releases by the entertainment distribution giant.
Feelings of honor and surprise surfaced for Balbaboco, since the opportunity wasn’t expected at all. “You post artwork online hoping people appreciate it, but you never imagine it’ll reach the people who actually made the film. It took a while to sink in, and I was just grateful that something I made out of genuine interest resonated with them,” he said.
The art for Guillermo also had hands-on direction. “It wasn’t really Rococo specifically [that inspired the piece]; it was classical painting in general. Guillermo asked me to reference another classical painting. What attracted me was the sense of movement, drama, and emotion. I wanted the figures in that Frankenstein cover to feel almost like they were frozen in a scene from a painting rather than simply posing for a poster. Those compositions have a timeless quality that fit Guillermo’s vision really well,” he shared. The process was collaborative, since Guillermo had a clear vision for the emotional themes he wanted to highlight, yet he gave trust and space for Balbaboco to create and, in turn, it became a memorable experience for him.
(From left) “The Broken Marriage Vow,” “Darna,” and “Encantadia” | Art by Denver Balbaboco
When asked about his reaction to the widespread attention his artworks have gained, Balbaboco shared that it meant a lot and it felt reassuring that the piece he made resonated with people anywhere in the world. “More than anything, it reminds me that good art isn’t really limited by geography,” he added.
Though Balbaboco’s art is inspired directly by Filipino motifs and folklore, his process of creation itself is a reflection of his heritage. “Being Filipino shapes the way I approach my work more than the visuals themselves. [As a Filipino] we tend to be resourceful and adaptable, and I’ve always believed that good storytelling can connect across cultures regardless of where it comes from.”
When asked about his advice for people who would like to pursue a career in the arts, Balbaboca said, “Don’t create just to be noticed. Create because you’re genuinely interested in what you’re making, and keep improving your craft. Every project is an opportunity to learn something new, even if nobody sees it.” The Frankenstein piece that led to getting recognized was something he made purely out of love, taking a week to finish, and resulting in a rollercoaster ride that led to his works being appreciated by the world.
Denver Balbaboco is proof that Filipino talent transcends borders and resonates with people from different cultures. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the art pieces he’s creating.
Which Southeast Asian artist should we feature next? Let us know in the comments.