Watson gets hard
Ross Watson has released a new hardcover through publishers Bruno Gmunder, their first fine art book in 20 years.
Untitled # by ROSS WATSON features more than 150 of Watson’s paintings and photography from numerous series spanning the past 15 years.
The foreword is written by artist and art historian Mark Henderson and includes an interview with the artist by former High Court judge Michael Kirby.
info: Hand-signed copies are available exclusively at www.rosswatson.com
I bought a signed copy, and this book is exceptional!! Watson explains
why he employs the imagery and themes at the beginning of every
chapter. It explained so much to me, and makes his art even more
interesting to consider.
David above has an interesting point about juxtaposing the classical with modern gay heroes. I think if you take a closer look though, Watson is often making more subtle analogies – such as exploring questions of ageing and change by placing a classical ‘still life’ basket of autumn fruit in the background, or drawing comparisons between modern gay activists and those who were persecuted by the establishment in ancient times etc. I’ve never seen that as an attempt at rewriting history. Anyway, while I’m sure Watson likes his audiences to draw their own conclusions, the book gives a great insight into his deeper meanings and motivations.
Awesome work!
Such an incredibly gifted artist! Great aesthetics too! However, I don’t always understand the reasoning for artists to marry modern gay icons with classic themes and symbologies. It almost seems to imply that gay men and women were not really in existence in times past and therefore a contemporary ‘great’ has to be inserted in to the frame in order to redefine history. Call me iconoclastic if you must but it seems somewhat backward looking. Still, it looks like a great book! Cheers.