By Monsi A. Serrano
For Rafael “Popoy” Cusi, widely regarded as the Philippines’ Master Watercolorist, the decision not to consign his paintings to galleries has never been about rebellion or mistrust. It has always been about principle.
“Not giving my works to galleries is a matter of personal choice,” Cusi said in an exclusive interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS.
“I have no personal issues with gallery owners. But over the years, I have seen artists fall victim to unscrupulous practices—fake paintings being sold, certificates of authenticity issued by questionable experts, all driven by money,” he said.
With more than five decades of painting behind him, Cusi has witnessed firsthand how reputations can be quietly compromised.
Forged works bearing his name, he revealed, have circulated not only in galleries but even in auction houses—some accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity.
“When collectors—businessmen, diplomats, even prominent families—showed these works to me, I immediately knew they were not mine,” said the artist whose name has appeared in Who’s Who in the International Arts twice (Les Grands et Nouveaux Noms du Monde Artistique d’Aujourd’hui) in Switzerland
“What shocked me was that they came with COAs,” he added.
Rather than engage in a system he believes can blur accountability, Cusi chose a quieter, more personal path: dealing directly with collectors who understand his work, his values, and his story.
It is a decision that may have cost him exposure in certain markets—but earned him something far more enduring: trust.
“As an artist with collectors both here and abroad, I have two things to protect: my dignity and my honor—and the investment of those who buy my work,” Cusi said.
“Some think I am too rigid or upright. That does not bother me. I will not compromise my reputation,” he added.
For collectors who move comfortably between embassies, boardrooms, and cultural salons, Cusi’s stance resonates.
In an era where art is often treated as a financial instrument, his refusal to take shortcuts offers reassurance that integrity still has a place on canvas.