A lot of artists don’t give their works a title and it really gives me the pip. Walking around galleries around the world, I’ll come across a spectacular artwork, I’ll walk up and get closer look, see who created it and what it’s called. Artist, Untitled, 1972 For me, not giving an artwork a name, is like not naming a child. A title gives an … Continue reading Why all artworks titled “Untitled” should be destroyed.
I know Billie Holiday’s song Strange Fruit is harrowing, devastating and political, so I am hesitant to use its title for this work. On the road to the local dump, plastic bags catch on the wind and collect in the hawthorn trees along the road. It’s strangely disturbing and beautiful at the same time. I guess using a title like Strange Fruit brings with … Continue reading Would Billie Holiday be upset if I titled this “Strange fruit”?
If you’re an artist or writer or musician or anyone who dabbles in creative pursuits, you’ll be very familiar with the bouts of self-doubt. Especially in the early stages of any new work.My collage has been evolving dramatically over the last few years. Early stages involved making work out of existing images from magazines – umbrellas, telephones, screaming mouths. Then I moved to creating images … Continue reading Lost or heading in the right direction?
Keep calm. I have a solo exhibition which opens on March 7 at Gaffa gallery in Sydney. It would all be very exciting except at the moment I only have one completed piece of the 10 work show. I’m not panicking yet, but I feel my stomach churning and despite the looming deadline (I need to supply images by January 22) I am procrastinating. It’s … Continue reading How to focus in a state of panic
Years ago I lived in Bloomsbury in London and shared a mad 3 storey house with all kinds of inspiring folk. There was a guy who made light installations for raves, another bloke made a massive 6 storey high treehouse just to film it being burnt to the ground and then there was Anna Hymas who was studying at St Martin’s College. Her work has … Continue reading Anna Hymas’ style is lyrical and beautiful
In April, I received a commission for a horse. It’s totally outside the scope of what I normally do and because it was a commission for someone I know I was debilitated by the request. I was torn with all manner of stupid things like what size do they want it? What colours would they like? How realistic do they expect it to be? In … Continue reading I’m on a horse
In Art Monthly Australia this month, there’s a little write up about my exhibition about Azaria Chamberlain and the horrors that Lindy had to endure. It’s amazing how something as simple as this gives you the impetus to continue to work and go back into the studio. I think all artists are insecure by their very nature, even if it’s hidden deep away under a … Continue reading Baby steps, first real publicity for my work
Thanks to a generous government grant, the local arts group has been able to purchase its very own space for exhibitions, workshops and meetings. Originally two school houses put together and then used for years as a saddlery, the buildings needed a lot of cleaning, painting and rebuilding. After months of hard slog, it finally opened and crowds poured through. It’s exciting for a small … Continue reading Not the painting you expected
It’s the most incredible thing when a friend supports your art. There’s a big difference between saying you like someone’s work and paying money for it. I’m still kind of uncomfortable with the idea of friends giving me money for art, but I guess money between friends is always awkward. After seeing my A Dingo Ate My Baby series, a close friend said, “Make me … Continue reading Can I tackle a horse? My first commission
I love when great work gets shortlisted for an awesome prize and the finalists for the Abstract Showdown are really incredible. I actually think the new voting system has helped here where you vote for a work based on it’s merit, giving it a score, rather than a “hot or not” showdown like in previous showdowns. Abstract is not my thing yet, but I had … Continue reading Check out the amazing Saatchi Online Abstract Finalists
Ray Monde 