Multi-purpose artist Raco Ruiz returns with his fourth solo exhibit, NO WORRYS, running from July 27 to August 8 at Secret Fresh Gallery. Known for his signature blend of pop culture and personal storytelling, Raco introduces a new series anchored by his original character Razzl the Clown– now joined by a dopamine-dependent dalmatian named Dopa.
Following the success of 2024’s CLOWNRRY, where Razzl first appeared, NO WORRYS puts the soft-spoken clown front and center. This time, Razzl confronts real-world worries: fear of failure, burnout, comparison, and the quiet loneliness that creeps in even when surrounded by noise. But there’s no dramatic unraveling here. Razzl walks through each piece with a quiet sort of resilience– a space to sit with discomfort and the calm that follows.
“Razzl is pretty much a caricature of the anxious side of myself,” Raco shares. “He’s introverted, secretly anxious most times, tries his best to be hopeful, and always aims to please.”
That’s what makes NO WORRYS feel so personal. Through Razzl, Raco is able to process parts of himself he doesn’t always show online– quiet moments of doubt, overthinking, and the pressure to always perform.
“I wanted to explore Razzl more and didn’t want him to be a one-off character,” Raco says. “Being a comedic content creator and sort of a people pleaser myself, I’ve always been the type to slap on a happy face and go on with the show regardless of how I was feeling.”
While CLOWNRRY paid tribute to iconic clowns from pop culture, NO WORRYS shifts inward. This show is all about Razzl– his personality, his worries, and the quieter moments we often keep hidden.
“The theme this year doesn’t revolve around more established clowns,” he explains. “Though it may allude to one or two, this time it’s all about Razzl and his own inner world.”
“I already wanted to do more Razzl pieces back in CLOWNRRY, but I could only finish so much at the time,” he recalls. “So this time, I gave him a full show. It was scary, but I knew I wanted to do it.”
Despite the personal nature of the work, Raco leaves room for viewers to interpret each piece in their own way.
“If they find the different versions of Razzl cute, creepy, fun, or relatable—I just want them to feel something that stays with them after the show. More importantly, I want them to feel like they’re not alone in their struggles,” he says. “Some people are just better at hiding it. But there’s always hope at the end of the tunnel.”
The public is invited to the exhibit’s opening on July 27 at 2PM. Admission is free, with fun activities, food and drinks, and a chance to meet the artist himself.
With only 13 works on display, viewers and collectors are encouraged to come early. NO WORRYS runs from July 27 to August 8 at Secret Fresh Gallery, Ronac Art Center, San Juan.
