About

ROSS COMPTON

Award-winning Designer & Artist

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I don't like drawing what's there on the surface. I've spent my life copying societal norms for acceptance and to translate that into my paintings would just be a continuation of that appeasement for conformity. Abstract expressionism therefore, is the perfect avenue.

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Queerness is a defining feature of my work. Societal injustices, pop culture, personal trauma and happiness all coalesce in a vivid depiction throughout my works. I only have one voice, and it is only recently I have gathered the strength to express that to a fucked-up world.

Having always been fascinated with hidden means, codes and conspiracy - I found a fascination for Polari slang, symbology and other ways people use hidden messages to convey their status, views or other aspects of life. Henry Dreyfuss’ book, ‘Symbol Sourcebook’ has been a significant inspiration. In addition, I find inspiration through artists across the world. 

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I like to combine these factors around what are usually queer themes. Work that has multiple perspectives is more engaging to me. I want the viewer to take their own message from the work, not just the one I'm shouting at them.

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My work all starts out on an iPad. I can sketch quickly any time, anywhere and capture thoughts or emotions at the source. From there I can develop an idea and work with colour tones until I am relatively happy. I then take this to the large canvas where I plot out the work. I prefer acrylic thanks to its quick drying time and ease of use, especially mixing with high-gloss mediums to create a multi-tonal work. Oil pastels and paint sticks also help to quickly define a subject or add definition. 

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By the time the work is as incomplete as I am willing for it to be, it bears little resemblance to the original idea. But I like this. The iPad is the original raw idea, taking it to the canvas allows me to punch in the emotion and refine what works. Refinement is something I find the most challenging. I wouldn’t say I am a perfectionist, but even chaos has an order to it so I do find myself editing, perhaps too much.

Ultimately, I don’t want to dictate how a piece should make you feel. If I am having to force feed you the message then I do not feel that is good art. I want to create art that sits with you in that space in your head. It’s just there, saying hi, or shouting who knows what, and it’s up to you to ignore it, recognise it or chat back to it.

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