b-uncut

b-loud: Meet South African Painter Ross Kerr

// October 26th, 2009 // b-loud // Kara

Our second willing victim under the spotlight this week, is self-taught South African painter extraordinaire, Ross Kerr

Ross refers to his work as “Outsider’s Art”, as he taught himself how to paint and sketch as means of escapism and individuality. Ross’ artwork is uninfluenced by growing trends or fashion, in Ross’ own words, “I do not attempt to make an intellectual or sophisticated statement, but rather create my work simply for the love of art itself. My art is a visual extension of myself, a liberation into the unknown, without using reference materials as a guide”

Ross enjoys making use of “characters” in his paintings, sketches and designs-allowing people to interpret them in any way, and perhaps relate to them in some way. His career began in mid-2002, and he has since then exhibited in various galleries across South Africa including the Magpie Gallery, The Gallery At Duncan Yard, and the VEO Gallery.

Ross also recently exhibited for the first time of his career abroad at the DIP gallery in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Without further ado, here’s Ross’ exclusive Q&A

the b-you interview – face-to-face with the artist
b-uncut: What was your first artwork?
Ross: My first artwork, as far as I can recall, was a big, messy and free flowing picture of a butterfly – which my Grandmother still has hanging on her wall to this day.

b-uncut: Describe your favourite piece?
Ross: To be honest with you, I don’t have a favourite artwork, I pretty much love all my work! It may sound like vanity, but all my work is close to my heart. I believe my art awesome! You have to believe in yourself after all! I love my art and if anyone else frowns upon my work it is of no consequence to me.

b-uncut: What did it take to make it to where you are now?
Ross: It took a LOT of mistakes, to get where I am today, and grandiose ideas about making it big. But amongst all that I have learnt a heck of a lot over the years, and have grown an awful lot as an artist, and how to operate professionally.

b-uncut: Who has helped you along the way?
Ross: What’s helped me most along the way is my insatiable need to create artwork, and a lot of persistancy. Here’s a little secret; I like to paint listening to music which is not particularly radio friendly, I like to indulge in happiness or depression, drawing inspiration for artwork from random shapes and colour schemes which I see in different places. But most importantly, I try not to get ahead of myself and to create art primarily for me. And needless to say checking out other artists’ work!

The b-quick interview – it’s all about being unconventional!
b-uncut: What’s your favourite swear word?
Ross: The swear word I use the most is, well, fuck! It’s a very versatile word!

b-uncut: What flaws should a woman have to seduce you?
Ross: I would think, um, a high libido! Although that isn’t much of a flaw!

b-uncut: Who would you like to be hated by?
Ross: I don’t particularly want to be hated by anyone, but if I had to pick it would be art dealers who don’t take my work seriously, because it’s unconventional, I suppose.

b-uncut: What’s the question we should never ask you?
Ross: Don’t ask!

The b-where interview: where will you be in…
Five seconds: Answering the blog questions!
Five minutes: Smoking a cigarette
Five days: Photographing new work, creating new work
Five months: Exhibiting overseas
Five centuries: An afterlife where I can continue painting

Thank you Ross, for taking the time to answer our questions; we look forward to discussing your art in more detail in tomorrow’s blog post. In the meantime, our lovely readers can head over to the b-uncut gallery to discover more of Ross’ work!