SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2024

BKKIF Artist  
ARTIST: pat garvida
COUNTRY: Philippines
CONTACT: patgarvida.me
none-inactive
instagram.com/patgarvida
pgarvida.notion.site
I'm Pat, a non-binary illustrator from Manila, Philippines. The two greatest loves of my life are basketball and art, and I spent most of my time strengthening my relationship with both. Most of my art is focused around gender and sports: I love drawing my favorite drag queens, my favorite athletes, and most of all, I love drawing about my experience playing a traditionally male-dominated sport in a traditionally patriarchal country.

Got Em!

Navigating the sneaker culture of today’s resale market can be a challenge. This piece reflects my experience of longing for a new shoe release during my twenties, when I could still purchase it at retail price directly from Nike. Now, it’s common to see coveted sneakers sold out almost instantly, only to resurface at inflated prices on secondary marketplaces. I’ve always viewed well-designed sneakers as wearable art—affordable and personal expressions of creativity. However, as these once-accessible artifacts of art become increasingly out of reach, all I can do now is admire them from afar.

Her Hoops 1/3

This piece is the first of a series I created exploring the experience of being a woman in the world of basketball. It visually represents the dual challenge of navigating both inherent and external obstacles in the sport. The focus here is on hands—symbols of the biological and societal constraints women face in basketball.
For instance, I can't change the size of my hands. They're naturally smaller, making it difficult to grip the ball like my male counterparts do. I recall my childhood attempts to compensate by taping my fingertips, trying to master a one-handed grip and feeling a surge of pride each time I managed it.
Yet, some aspects of being a woman in basketball are more within my control. My nails, for example, are a personal choice. Long, beautiful nails and the demands of the game don’t mix well. So, for the sake of performance, I often opt to minimize or forgo this aspect of femininity. This piece captures that tension between personal expression and athletic necessity.

Her Hoops 2/3

This piece continues the "Her Hoops" series, echoing the themes explored in the first artwork I submitted. Here, I've incorporated traditionally feminine elements into the decorative frames around each hand, including florals, butterflies, and sparkles. This choice reflects my desire to see more basketball art that represents women in a way that's both personal and nuanced.
Basketball art often leans towards masculine imagery, especially in prominent campaigns, while local art in my neighborhood predominantly reflects this trend. This piece asks whether it's possible to portray basketball with a softer touch or if the sport's nature inherently dictates a more rugged aesthetic. My hope is to blend these traditionally feminine details with the athletic spirit of the game, challenging the conventional boundaries of how women in basketball are represented.

The Filipino Flamethrower

On September 2, 2023, Jordan Clarkson scored 34 points to help the Philippines win against China for the first time in a long, long time....and I was hyped!!! I rarely feel that 'Filipino Pride' that I see so often in Social Media whenever someone with Filipino blood does something special. But on this day, watching this performance, I did. I felt so proud, and I felt so moved. Moved enough to draw this.

Recess

This piece serves as a nostalgic tribute to the carefree days of playing basketball with friends during lunch and recess. We would cleverly wear basketball shorts under our skirts, ready to shed the skirts and jump into the game the moment the bell rang. Looking at this artwork evokes a bittersweet sense of longing for those simpler, joyful times spent on the court with friends.

Violet Chachki

This scarf design draws inspiration from one of the most stunning winner finale gowns featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The gown's intricate details, including the use of prosthetics, left a lasting impression on me. I was particularly captivated by Violet Chachki’s explanation for the bejeweled bugs adorning the dress. She transformed elements often seen as creepy into symbols of beauty and glamour. This design mirrors that transformation, infusing a touch of high fashion into a wearable piece.

We are Limitless

In September 2021, I joined the Adidas Limitless running group, a community specifically for LGBT members eager to embrace running. At that time, I was still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, feeling disconnected from my former active self and spending most days on the couch. This running group rekindled my passion and helped me rediscover my energy and sense of freedom. Through this experience, I felt truly limitless, finding a renewed connection with myself and others.

Choices

Often, I think about what my life would look like had I made different choices. I see the way other people live and think: that could have been me.
Once choice could greatly affect your life. That’s terrifying, but therein lies the beauty of it: should you grow unhappy of the life you’re living, you have the capacity to change it at any given time.
Whenever I start thinking about the things I could have done better or the lives I could have lived, I take comfort in the fact that although the past is no longer within my reach, the future can still be anything I will it to be.

Job's Not Finished

Kobe's never been my GOAT, but I love the game and I appreciate everything he's done for the game. I also admire his work ethic, and a lot of times, I watch his interviews to feel motivated. This was a shirt I created as a tribute to him because of his sudden passing. I created this for my clothing brand, Higher Ground, where I plan to create all kinds of products focused on basketball and sports.

The Longest Reign

This illustration pays homage to my basketball GOAT, LeBron James. It highlights the quality I admire most about his game: his remarkable consistency and longevity. LeBron’s unwavering dedication and hard work, which have sustained his career over the years, inspire me to make better choices and strive for personal excellence. His example motivates me to work diligently and stay healthy, aiming to maintain my own passion for the game for as long as possible.

BKKIF ARTIST SPECIAL

More Artwork/Merchandise:

Her Hoops 3/3

Global Table

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