Pay attention to the streets of Manila long enough, and you’re sure to spot a sharp, spray-painted “Why” on a solitary lampost, sidewalk, or traffic sign. Its out-of-placeness, paired with the precise stenciling, makes you ask: why? Why what? Or why anything? And then, after a moment of existential drift, a trickier question follows: who’s behind all the Whys? Under Maintenance, the gallery space founded by photography duo Ryan and Garovs Vergara, aims to shed light on the “who” with its upcoming exhibition featuring the elusive artist.
But why take art away from the streets and into a gallery in Makati? For Ryan and Garovs, who have long been fans of the Why Guy, the artist’s work can’t be simply categorized as street art. “It’s not just graffiti, which is usually seen as vandalism,” Garovs told Rolling Stone Philippines. “There’s really this social commentary that he’s interested in exploring.”
Known to fans, copycats, and art aficionados simply as the Why Guy, the anonymous artist has spent the last decade or so turning Metro Manila into his open-air gallery. In 2013, the Why Guy started spray-painting black cats wearing gas masks around Pasig, allegedly as a comment against smoke belchers. Two months later, he pivoted to the Whys, and has never looked back. In recent years, the artist has slowly come out of hiding by opening Oldhaws, a small shop andgallery somewhere in Kapitolyo where he sells paintings and “Why”-themed merch.
“We know [the Whys] comes from a place of rejection,” Ryan told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Something personal, but that’s where the conversation ends. We really don’t know him. Or her. Or them.”
In 2024, marking nearly 20 years of documenting Manila’s cultural landscape through their studio, Everywhere We Shoot, Ryan and Garovs decided to open Under Maintenance, a cozy, weekend-only space in Karrivin Studios dedicated to hosting art shows, pop-up events, and anything the couple feels is fun and conversation-starting. After hosting a string of events this year, the duo decided they wanted to tackle organizing the Why Guy’s first ever solo show. “We just knew we wanted to show Why,” said Garovs. “We wanted to show his work not as graffiti nor as vandalism, but as important social commentary.”
The exhibit recreates the Why Guy’s work environment, offering visitors a chance to step into his creative space. “We’re recreating his work area,” said Ryan, “so that guests can really see how he works.” Beyond creating a space where attendees can interact with the artist’s stencils, tools, and workbench, Ryan and Garovs are also exhibiting several of the Why Guy’s paintings, stenciled illustrations, and digital art, all available for purchase.
The exhibition is set to open on May 17 and will run until May 25. When asked if the Why Guy would be there on opening night, the duo only laughed. “We’ll keep our eyes peeled!” Ryan joked. “If you see someone looking mysterious, wearing a hat indoors, then maybe that’ll be him.”
