Image: Portrait of the artist, courtesy of Here Now Films
Artist Ro Robertson presents their first major solo exhibition in their hometown of Sunderland with The Ribs Begin To Rise. Exploring the connectivity and boundaries between the body and environments, Ro’s work is deeply rooted in their memories and experiences of growing up, tied with the industrial history of Sunderland – all through a Queer feminist lens.
“I am inspired by the natural landscape and the interconnected nature of the rock cycle and water cycle, and what it teaches us about existing without rigid and binary restrictions,” Ro states. With a fascinating practice of sculpture, drawing, painting and performance, their work is bold and soothing; paintings are washed in gorgeous sea-like colours, contrasted with striking steel and welded sculptures.
The experience of creating The Ribs Begin To Rise sounds like an empowering and emotional one. Ro conveyed: “I draw on a wide range of memories and experiences. When I was younger I experienced some negative responses to being visibly Queer and I feel like I am returning to a more progressive Sunderland which feels great. The experience has been very connecting.”
The most important thing is to make the time and space daily to be creative even if it’s only a small act – creativity needs to be nurtured on a daily basis
While researching some of the places key to Sunderland’s industries, including the site of the ship yards at Deptford, Sunderland Port and the banks of the River Wear, they made some lovely discoveries along the way. “Nature has reclaimed large areas of the riverside since the closing of the shipyards and I’ve been exploring wildflowers and rewilding as a metaphor for transformation and reclamation.” They continued: “I went for a drink at a pub called the Saltgrass with my Dad, which is very close to what was the Laing shipyard. I learned that the pub was called that because the area was covered in an extremely salt tolerant grass before the shipyards were built. I love how a simple grass outlives eras of huge human ambition.”
Ro’s love for the natural environment is so endearing to hear. “The double meaning in my title relates to taking breath, and we can’t take breath without taking care of our seas, rivers and natural environments.” Alongside this, Ro has some fascinating ideas around Queer theory and the environment. “There are no binaries in nature,” Ro relays. “In Les Feinberg’s Queer and Trans novel Stone Butch Blues, there is a line that says ‘I lay in nature and it found no fault with me’, which connects with how I feel about being in the natural landscape and the sea.”
Finally, I asked Ro for advice they’d share with young or aspiring artists, to which they cited dedication, determination and DIY ethos as key. “I’ve had to keep going during times when I wasn’t sure I would ever get to work in the way I wanted to.” Ro explains. “It was vital for me to have a strong artist-led and Queer community around me to try things out and share ideas. When there wasn’t any real opportunity I used to create it – I’ve run a studio and put on shows. The most important thing is to make the time and space daily to be creative even if it’s only a small act – creativity needs to be nurtured on a daily basis.”
The Ribs Begin to Rise opens on Saturday 26th July running until Saturday 6th December at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.
