My practice spans painting, drawing and print-media, but I have a primary focus on ceramic sculpture and installation.
There are various intersecting and related themes I explore in my work, things like like fertility, creation, destruction, eroticism, exoticism, Christianity, Hinduism, outsider aesthetics, monumentality, autobiography, imperialism and much more.
The most central thing to my studio practice is hard work. If I’m not working to support myself, I’m in the studio making things, experimenting and trying to produce the best possible outcome for upcoming exhibitions.
I have always been drawn to material things and working with my hands. Whether it’s the viscosity of paint, the malleability of clay or the almost alchemical processes involved in glazing. I’m probably in that clichéd group of artists who need to make every day. It’s almost an addiction. I get bored pretty easily so I’m always trying new things and developing my practical skills. I think I have a lot of energy and a very busy mind. Making art seems to be the perfect thing to direct my energies towards.
As a visual artist, I think copyright is incredibly important. Despite our necessary contribution to the cultural life of this country, many artists continue to struggle economically. While we are (in a way) privileged to be able to make art and contribute to public discourse, artists do need to be protected from exploitation. Hence, an ethical and responsible framework around the reproduction of artist’s images is necessary. Particularly as the internet and social media makes the sharing of images a fact of daily existence. Advocacy for artists’ copyright is a meaningful way to ensure fairness and protect against exploitation.
Ramesh has an Arts and Fine Arts Degree from UNSW with Honours and a Master of Fine Arts by Research. He was a John Fries Award Finalist in 2014. Find out more on his website.