A collection of the works of Jigger Cruz from the Hail Holy Eyes exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

Excerpt from the foreword by Manuel Ocampo:

A Grammar of Ruin: The Painterly Logic of Jigger Cruz

To know Jigger Cruz is to understand the compelling dichotomy between the man and his art. Our relationship, which began when he was in his early twenties, has allowed me to witness his ascent with a unique perspective. His character is one of profound generosity, a stark counterpoint to the visceral intensity of his paintings.

Jigger's work is immediately characterized by its aggressive texture and tumultuous palette—a masterful orchestration of chaos. The source of this visual language is deeply connected to his parallel practice in music. As an accomplished player, of the modular synthesizer, her builds layered, unpredictable compositions through physical connections, a process that directly informs his painterly alchemy. It's all about signal paths and feedback loops, whether he's routing an oscillator or a stream of thick, viscous paint.

Published in 2026 by Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation, Inc.

395 pages / Hardcover with flaps