Ramon Robertson
Ramon Robertson’s artwork is predominantly sculptural and engages with aspects of architecture and urbanisation. Mass production and standardization of objects is also a focus, as well as a closer look at our human existence in our living and working environments. Themes linking to human nature, conditioning and behaviour in the city are also concepts explored in the work.
Specifically, his work engages with aspects of the built environment and plays with psychological issues of our behaviour in it and our perception of the world we live in. In many of his works the figurative element has become a tool to express ideas of how we live and interact in the urban setting and his use of materials also expresses his interests in man-made environments and commonly used materials.
Originally from Scotland, Ramon moved to New Zealand in 2011 and worked as an artist until returning to UK, London in 2024.
In 1992 he graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a BA Honours Degree in Fine Art Sculpture and in 1997 completed a MA in Interior Design at Manchester Metropolitan University for which he undertook sculpture and installation projects related to interiors and architecture. Having studied in both the art and design sectors his interests and themes cross over between the two disciplines.
The sculptures he produces are small to medium in size and are often figurative. Plaster and concrete have been the materials of choice for their inert, yet versatile qualities. More recently, Ramon has been experimenting with bronze, trying to obtain a similarly utilitarian, or industrial feel to that of the concrete and plaster works.
Currently based in London and working between England and Scotland (November 2024)
Represented by Foenander Galleries, Auckland, NZ
Represented by Muse Gallery, Havelock North, NZ
MA in Interior Design at Manchester Metropolitan University. Undertook sculpture and installation projects related to interiors and architecture. 1996-1997
Glasgow School of Art with a BA Honours Degree in Fine Art Sculpture 1988-1992
Other projects are a five-year collaboration with artists, designers and architects under the name of 'Transit' in Manchester, UK and an ongoing project called 'vollov'. Vollov is an experimental project investigating aspects of the built environment and our visual and physical interactions in the city.
Text from solo exhibition at Foenander Galleries, Auckland, NZ
Red Moss – Foenander Galleries October 2023
Robertson’s new exhibition: Red Moss exhibition circles around themes of research, public art and public accessibility in and around different areas of Auckland. Within these themes are concepts looking at people and environment, and the nature of society.
One of the central ideas behind several works in this exhibition is influenced by an exploration of Bledisloe House. The paradox of this purpose-built council building, constructed in the “Modern” style was what initially intrigued Robertson. Conversations about the building revealed varied opinions on its heritage status and iconic presence. Adding to the intrigue, was the presence of Guy Ngan’s public art frieze on the rooftop penthouse, inaccessible to the public. The search for access to the frieze became a small project in itself and inspired the making of two wall relief works: Public society Service #1 & 2
An ongoing interest in Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan became an extension of the research of this project, exploring the concepts and nature of the sculptural work, which sits somewhere in the middle ground, between art and architecture. Ideas of art in society and art about society are contained in some of the works and act as a simple documentation of thoughts and subjects which connect to the sociological subject of what is a society.
Robertson is also interested in the human process of translating ideas to real form to phenomenological perception, via the viewer’s response. The natural abstraction in this process is manifest in the physical and three-dimensional responses in the exhibition, which aim to evaluate the space between person, art and environment. As such these works seem to activate the space around them, bridging the gap between internal and external worlds, allowing those of us in their field of influence to be more aware of our place in our surroundings.
Together with this exploration of union between people, structure and architecture, these playful and sometime humorous works, relate to urban development and its prioritising of systems and structure as an organising principal. In this respect, Robertson choice of materials: concrete, plaster, wood & resin, connect universal components used in building and manufacture to the individual.