Healing Through Giving: A Story From Behind the Canvas
This blog is dedicated to The Dandelion Philosophy‘s Chief iIlustrator, Ramon Agulhas.
Ramon is a core and invaluable member of The Dandelion Philosophy’s Design Team. In over one year with us, he has created countless illustrations, storyboards, and designs, including our NFT artwork. Today, we share his story about becoming a designer, overcoming stigma and shame, and reigniting his own artistic expression. This is a powerful and personal story of hope, bravery, courage, and resilience in a challenging world.
Born in South Africa, I grew up in the city of Johannesburg in the previously disadvantaged community of Bosmont—a small suburb located in the west.
I’ve always loved to sketch, anything related to art and using my creative imagination is where I thrive. I can remember drawing from the age of three; it was my mum who encouraged me to further my talent. She took me to the Johannesburg Art Gallery for art lessons, which was how I was able to really develop my artistic skills. My mum worked at the Johannesburg Library and I would tag along with her on weekends perusing the books at the famous Michaelis Art Library (a part of the Reference Division of the Johannesburg Public Library Service) while she worked.
When I was younger, I loved learning about animals and nature. I used to spend hours sketching animals I’d seen on the weekly wildlife specials on TV. This was probably the most considerable influence on my art—it helped me learn about the form and movement of all sorts of creatures. Birds used to be my favourite because I used to wish I could fly like a bird, perhaps because I was looking for a way to feel free.
I got really good at drawing animals but I always struggled with human figures, or maybe I just wasn’t that interested at the time. Then in the 90s pop culture exploded—video games, cartoons, comics, books, film, and TV became my new source of inspiration. I was obsessed with recreating iconic characters. I would sketch them, colour them in, and cut them out to create my own paper puppets to stage my own shows, often lost in my own world of make-believe. It was my escape and outlet, a retreat from the pressures of school, peers, family, and my own challenges.
At the time, South Africa was transitioning from its oppressive Apartheid regime. There were now more opportunities and hope for people of colour, but there was still residual prejudice and mistrust for the whole nation to overcome. My generation was the first to be integrated into school, which led to my acceptance into the International German School. Academically, this was an amazing opportunity and a chance for me to hone my artistic skills through its fantastic art curriculum and incredible teachers.
For the most part, I enjoyed the things I learnt, but growing up a closeted gay child in the 90s was far from easy. Back then, stigma, fear, and isolation were all too overwhelming and I dove into my art to shut myself off from the world. I found refuge in fantasy and imagination—conceptualising characters, whole worlds, and stories to keep myself entertained, but more so to keep myself occupied and oblivious to reality.
Admittedly, “coming out” has taken years. I freed myself late in life, but a big part of this liberation has been volunteering for The Dandelion Philosophy. It has been an extraordinary journey of self-acceptance and honesty, for which I am eternally grateful. It has also provided me with a platform to use my art to help others who feel left in the dark. The counsel and kindness I’ve received while being a part of the Light Experiment have been a truly liberating experience.
My hope is that more people adopt and support this initiative to alleviate unnecessary suffering by changing negative mindsets.
Working alongside some of the kindest, most hardworking, and passionate people has been a life-changing opportunity. I strongly believe this work has the power to spread more hope, compassion, and valuable knowledge for everyday living to make the world a little better every day.
