Q & A with artist Romany Mark Bruce From Minimalism To Abattoirs! The Sculptor Who Paints
- What are the 3 top art movements that you feel have influenced your work?
1. Abstract Expressionism, Conceptualism and Minimalism It might come as a surprise to those who are familiar with my work that Minimalism is included in this list, but I spend much of my time, in both painting and sculpting, taking away rather than adding. The space around a sculpture, or around the subject of a painting is as important at the subject itself.
- Your proudest art career moment so far?
2. I feel I am expected to say that the unveiling of TAY was my proudest moment, but that is not how I felt at the time. The significance of a memorial, any memorial, to those who have died of AIDS was far more important that the sculpture I had produced.
More recently, a short speech by someone who is knowledgeable and respected, acknowledging that I have produced a body of work worth recording was a special moment.
- You have just released your book ‘Sculpting Colour’ but what are the 3 most well thumbed books on your bookshelf?
1) La Difference – Jean Miotte a french painter known for his lyrical abstraction work. I first saw his mammoth canvases in Hamburg. Books on Miotte are hard to come by, and for that reason this is my most treasured art book.
2) Rodin by Monique Laurent – when I first started to sculpt, my primary interest was sculpting the human form – the works of Rodin, and his mastery of anatomy were of great inspiration.
3) – Francis Bacon A Retrospective – I have so many books on Bacon it may just be that this one I was given a second hand copy, so admittedly not all the thumbing is mine!
- Do you have a time of day you prefer to paint?
Late at night when I feel very alone. Much of the time will be spent contemplating rather than applying paint to canvas, but that is the most important and powerful part of the process.
- What is your favourite painting of all time ?
Francis Bacon – In Memory of George Dyer 1971. It embodies everything that fascinates me about Francis Bacon, darkness, flesh and blood, love and tragedy, the architectural elements of his work, and above all consuming passion. Viewing it in person was overwhelming. I thought maybe I would gain some greater understanding by writing to every abattoir within reach of Brighton to request a visit. Not one replied.
Romany Mark Bruce’s book ‘Sculpting Colour’ is out now and will be part of his London exhibition from Friday 20th September to Sunday 29th September
‘SCULPTING COLOUR’, a monograph of the artist & sculptor, Romany Mark Bruce will be published September 2024, a book spanning over 30 years of this artist’s life. ‘Sculpting Colour’, explores the many life choices which have so far, informed Romany’s artistic pathway, and analyses the sculptural techniques he employs in his thriving painting practice.
‘Sculpting Colour’ & (Un)Seen exhibition from Thursday 19th September – Sunday 29th September at Batsford Gallery, London. Thursday 19th September 6pm to 8.30pm by invitation only. Public exhibition from Friday 20th September – Sunday 29th September (Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun) https://www.batsfordgallery.com/whats-on-1
Pre-order the book on Amazon and other book shops, or click on the link below
www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/romany-mark-bruce/?k=9781911397939
