🤓PAGPIPINTA
Known to many as a standout volleyball player for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during his collegiate career and later with the Criss Cross King Crunchers in 2024, Chumason Njigha has long been recognized for his discipline on the court. Today, he's embracing another identity just as wholeheartedly: full-time artist. A member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Chumason proves that creativity doesn't have to stay in one lane. For COOL N.E.R.D, he talks about discovering the courage to share his art, embracing every part of who he is, and why choosing just one identity was never an option.
You first made a name for yourself in volleyball, but now you're also creating art. When did painting become part of your story?
Painting has always been part of my story. It's only now that I've had the courage to share it with the world and make a career out of it. I'm just grateful that I can finally say I'm a full-time artist.
Your portraits have a raw, expressive energy. What draws you to that style, and how has it influenced your own visual language?
I definitely love Basquiat, but I feel like my work is really a mix of many artists who inspire me. I'm naturally drawn to artworks that embrace freedom in color and form. I like my paintings to feel less realistic and more like they're coming straight from someone's imagination.
Is there a recurring symbol, color, or character that keeps finding its way into your artworks? What does it represent?
I often paint my characters with more than two eyes. For me, they represent perspective. I believe we're constantly shifting our perspectives throughout life, and I wanted my work to reflect that ongoing evolution.
Does your experience as an athlete influence how you approach the canvas? Is painting another kind of competition, or is it your escape from one?
I feel like I'm two completely different people when it comes to sports and art. As an athlete, I'm very much a perfectionist. But when I paint, I let go of that. Art is my escape from overthinking. It's the one time I allow myself to go on autopilot and let the brush and paint lead the way.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, has your identity shaped the stories you choose to tell through your art?
Definitely. Every painting I make reflects a part of who I am, whether it's through the characters I create or the colors I choose. Some of my works are even centered on personal stories and experiences.
If you could create a portrait of any cultural icon—past or present—in your signature style, who would it be and why?
I'd definitely paint Michael Jackson. I've always admired his work ethic and the way he presented himself to the world. You could tell he cared deeply about every detail of his craft. I also grew up watching his music videos on repeat on CD, so he's been a huge influence on me.
What advice would you give young creatives who feel pressured to choose just one identity—athlete, artist, model, or something else?
Do it all. You'll never know what you're capable of until you try. You might discover you're actually good at more than one thing, and that's something worth embracing.
Finally, what's next for Chumason Njigha the artist? Are there dream exhibitions, collaborations, or creative projects you're hoping to bring to life?
Right now, I want to continue growing my art community and connect with more people through my work. One of my biggest dreams is to exhibit my art abroad and travel more. I believe experiencing different places and cultures will continue to inspire me and help me grow, both as an artist and as a person.
Whether soaring above the net or standing in front of a canvas, Chumason Njigha has never been confined to a single identity. His journey from varsity volleyball star to professional model and full-time artist is a reminder that passion doesn't have to compete—it can coexist. For Chumason, the greatest masterpiece isn't choosing one path—it's having the courage to pursue them all. #CoolNERD #CoolisinSession
Photography: Rxandy Capinpin using Canon R6 MKIII
Grooming: Lars Cabanacan
Shoot Associate: Royd Loyola
Chumason is wearing Bold Race Swimsuit
