art practice

Transforming the Everyday

Ross’ practice is rooted in uncovering the beauty, complexity, and layered narratives embedded in the everyday. From his early experiments with printmaking—capturing objects suspended in space and exploring themes of balance and transformation—to his bold, layered silkscreen compositions, Ross transforms ordinary experiences into profound reflections on identity, connection, and the human condition. His work bridges playful reinterpretations of the familiar with poignant explorations of societal and personal themes, inviting viewers to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. 

Themes and Intentions 

At the heart of Ross’ work lies a commitment to celebrating overlooked aspects of daily life while engaging with deeper existential and cultural questions. Across his practice, themes of identity, community, transformation, and resilience emerge as cohesive threads that unify his diverse body of work. 

  • Suspension and Balance: Early works like Cartwheel and Oil Can, Inverted highlight Ross’ fascination with forms suspended in space. Whether exploring the delicate balance of movement, as in Cartwheel, or the poised tension of an industrial object, as in the lino print, his framing transforms the mundane into moments of quiet elegance and contemplation. 

  • Identity and Reflection: Pieces such as Fish Tank Watch Me Hit delve into complex explorations of identity, agency, and vulnerability. The shifting roles of aggressor, victim, and observer within this work highlight the cyclical nature of power dynamics and the fragmented self-awareness inherent in human conflict. Ross frequently draws on autobiographical elements, as seen in Deep Breath, to merge personal reflection with broader critiques of societal expectations and the constructed nature of images. 

  • Community and Connection: Works such as Hidden High Street and At Your Service celebrate the spaces and figures that shape everyday experiences, capturing the resilience and humanity within communal environments. From local shopkeepers to coffee shop staff, Ross foregrounds the individuality and unsung heroism often overlooked in daily life. 

  • Transformation and the Mundane: Ross’ practice consistently elevates everyday objects into symbolic protagonists, as seen in Oil Can, Inverted and later works like RKL Tools and At Your Service. Through bold visual language and layers of humour, Ross reimagines objects as icons, questioning their purpose and inviting viewers to reconsider the familiar. 

  • Philosophy and Reproduction: Works such as Deep Breath and Fish Tank Watch Me Hit interrogate the mechanics of image-making and the processes of reproduction. Through deliberate subversion of catalogue details and printing conventions, Ross challenges viewers to consider how personal memories and visual narratives are mediated, consumed, and stripped of their original context. 

Materiality and Technique 

Ross’ practice draws upon the traditions of printmaking, blending classical techniques with contemporary approaches to materiality and texture. His early experiments with lino printing established a foundation of bold contrasts and suspended forms, while his silkscreen works build on these principles with layered colour, texture, and narrative. From plywood and cotton paper to CMYK printing processes, Ross employs materials that bridge the tactile and the conceptual, deepening the sensory and intellectual engagement of his works. 

The interplay between bold visuals and nuanced ideas invites a layered experience for the viewer. Each piece offers a depth of meaning—often infused with humour, introspection, and critique—while providing space for personal interpretation. 

Key Works 

Ross’ portfolio spans a range of themes, techniques, and narratives, with each work contributing to a cohesive exploration of identity, community, and transformation. Highlights include: 

  • Cartwheel: An open ground etching celebrating the energy and spirit of youth through suspended movement and open spaces. This work exemplifies Ross’ fascination with balance and motion. 

  • Fish Tank Watch Me Hit: A brutal yet introspective silkscreen print interrogating cycles of violence, observation, and reproduction. Its layered roles—aggressor, victim, and observer—speak to the complexities of power and identity. 

  • Oil Can, Inverted: A vibrant exploration of suspension and form, elevating a mundane oil can to a state of poised, balletic elegance against an organic backdrop. 

  • Deep Breath: A deeply personal yet universally resonant silkscreen print examining memory, reproduction, and the construction of images, grounded in a photograph captured by Ross’ father during a family holiday. 

  • Hidden High Street and At Your Service: Celebratory tributes to the unsung spaces and figures of everyday life, blending humour and poignancy in their depiction of communal environments.

  • Mixed Emotions: A series of nine silkscreen prints examining the subtlety of facial expressions and their role in human connection. Drawing on concepts like the double empathy problem and influenced by Ross’ autistic identity, the series explores the intricacies of interpreting emotions in both individual and group dynamics. Through tactile forms and cartoon-like imagery, Mixed Emotions balances immediacy with deeper emotional commentary.

  • No Man: A contemporary critique of traditional ideals, challenging notions of masculinity and perfection through symbolic imagery and personal reflection.

Artistic Influences 

Ross’ practice is informed by diverse art movements, including Pop Art, Conceptual Art, and the sensory engagement of Contemporary Identity Art. His works often recontextualise these traditions, merging historical influences with modern themes of suspension, transformation, and reflection. 

Philosophy and Impact 

Ross’ art transforms the familiar into something profound, engaging viewers in a dialogue about identity, resilience, and the beauty of the everyday. By elevating overlooked objects and moments, his practice fosters curiosity, introspection, and appreciation for the narratives that define us. 

Through bold compositions and layered critique, Ross’ works celebrate the interconnectedness of human experience, urging us to pause, reflect, and notice the spaces and people that enrich our lives. His art is a testament to the power of transformation and the enduring impact of reimagining the ordinary.