art practice

Transforming the Everyday 

Ross’ practice centres on uncovering the beauty, complexity, and narratives embedded in the everyday. Through silkscreen prints, layered compositions, and bold visual language, Ross transforms ordinary spaces, objects, and experiences into profound reflections on identity, connection, and the human condition. His work oscillates between playful reinterpretations of the familiar and 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 broader existential and cultural questions. His practice seamlessly interweaves themes of identity, community, transformation, and resilience, crafting a cohesive yet multifaceted narrative across a wide range of works. 

  • Identity and Vulnerability: Works such as Who Am I?, The Absurd Struggle, Mixed Emotions, and No Man explore the complexities of self-definition, often drawing on autobiographical elements to reflect on neurodivergence, societal expectations, and the fluidity of identity. In Mixed Emotions, Ross examines the nuanced role of facial expressions in human connection and the challenges of interpreting emotions, particularly through the Autistic lens. These works challenge traditional notions of wholeness and understanding, inviting empathy and self-reflection. 

  • Community and Connection: In series like Hidden High Street and At Your Service, Ross celebrates the communal spaces and unsung heroes of everyday life, from local shopkeepers to coffee shop staff. These works highlight the humanity and individuality of these often-overlooked figures, fostering a sense of shared appreciation for the spaces and people that shape our daily experiences. 

  • Transformation and Everyday Heroism: A recurring thread in Ross’ practice is the elevation of the mundane into something heroic or iconic. Pieces such as RKL Tools, At Your Service, and elements of Mixed Emotions inject humour and vibrancy into seemingly banal objects and interactions, transforming them into powerful symbols of resilience and individuality. 

  • Philosophy and Reflection: In works like What are the Chances?, Touch, Smell, Taste, Love, and Mixed Emotions, Ross delves into deeper reflections on randomness, memory, and sensory engagement. These pieces balance intellectual inquiry with emotional resonance, drawing on philosophical frameworks and personal experiences to deepen their impact. 

Materiality and Technique 

Ross’ practice is rooted in the traditions of printmaking, combining classical silkscreen techniques with contemporary approaches to materiality and texture. His frequent use of plywood, textured cotton paper, and halftone patterns adds a tactile, organic quality to his works, bridging the digital and the physical. This material focus enhances the sensory themes of his practice, encouraging viewers to engage not only visually but also emotionally and tangibly. 

The layering of colour, texture, and narrative within Ross’ work reflects his interest in creating depth—both literally and figuratively. The interplay between bold visuals and nuanced ideas invites multiple levels of interpretation, ensuring that each piece resonates differently with each viewer. 

Key Works 

Ross’ portfolio is as diverse as it is cohesive, with works spanning introspective self-portraits, humorous critiques, and celebratory tributes. Highlights of his practice include: 

  • Hidden High Street: A series capturing the charm and individuality of local shops and spaces. Works like Wendy’s Cookshop and Hillview Floristry celebrate the humanity and care that define independent businesses, while WineWorld and The Three Tunns offer poignant critiques of societal and cultural dynamics. 

  • Triptych: Anticipation, Contemplation, Joy: This series explores the spectrum of experiences within a communal coffee shop, moving from quiet expectancy to vibrant interaction. The triptych serves as a microcosm of Ross’ ability to blend introspection with exuberance. 

  • At Your Service: A playful yet reflective series that honours the resilience and effort of coffee shop staff, elevating the cutlery tin to heroic status while engaging with themes of humour, labour, and shared spaces. 

  • 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 reimagining of da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man that challenges traditional ideals of masculinity, wholeness, and perfection. Through personal symbolism and contemporary critique, the piece engages deeply with questions of identity and self-definition. 

  • What are the Chances?: A meditation on randomness, control, and the narratives we construct around uncertainty, this three-panel work bridges mathematical and philosophical themes with Ross’ distinctive visual language. 

Artistic Influences 

Ross’ practice is informed by a range of art movements and traditions, which he recontextualises to reflect contemporary concerns. His work draws on the playfulness of Pop Art, the intellectual framework of Conceptual Art, and the sensory engagement of Contemporary Identity Art, among others. Through these influences, he crafts works that are both personal and universal, bridging historical art traditions with modern themes of neurodivergence, community, and resilience. 

Philosophy and Impact 

Ross’ art is a celebration of the human spirit—its complexities, contradictions, and quiet heroism. By transforming the familiar into something profound, his practice seeks to inspire curiosity and reflection, encouraging viewers to reconnect with the beauty of the everyday and the narratives that shape their lives. 

Through humour, critique, and introspection, Ross’ works emphasise the interconnectedness of human experience, urging us to pause, notice, and value the spaces and people that enrich our world. His art is as much about what is depicted as it is about the dialogue it invites, making it a meaningful and resonant contribution to contemporary practice.