Interview | Luke Ramsey

Luke Ramsey is an artist and illustrator living and working on Pender Island, Canada. In 2006 Luke and his partner Angela Conley set up the independent publisher and artist residency; Islands Fold. The residency allows artists to stay with the pair in their home for a short period. Supplying the artists with a bedroom, their own studio and three meals a day. The independent publishing side of Islands Fold commissions and creates low-fi publications. I caught up with Luke to ask him a few questions.

Where did the inspiration for the artist residency come from?

LR: It came from having a five week residency at The Mac Dowell Colony in New Hampshire, USA, and from combining my interest in art and Ange’s interest in cooking.

You say that the residency is intended to promote health and well being. Where did this passion for healthy living stem from?

LR: It stemmed from Ange’s education and desire to live a healthy lifestyle, which has fortunately rubbed off on me (most of the time.) We felt that a lot of artists neglect their health for the benefit of art making, so we wanted to remedy the term “starving artist.”

How do you believe that this healthy lifestyle cultivates the creativity of an artist and their work?

LR: Artist or whatever – a healthy lifestyle is going to make anyone more productive in the long run. It’s also about encouraging artists not to take art too seriously. Our residencies are about having fun, sharing, eating good food and living life. Art just happens to be a nice thing that brings it all together.

You’re also heavily involved in the production and sales of small publications. What is it you love about this low-fi style of publication?

It’s an easy way to promote artist’s work with having fewer overhead expenses. Zines don’t make much profit, but they are a great thing to get around the planet easily. Something special you can hold and not just a thing you click on a computer.

You’re also heavily involved in the production and sales of small publications. What is it you love about this low-fi style of publication?

LR: It’s an easy way to promote artist’s work with having fewer overhead expenses. Zines don’t make much profit, but they are a great thing to get around the planet easily. Something special you can hold and not just a thing you click on a computer.

In terms of your work, it’s rich in character illustration. Each one tells it’s own story, crammed full with intricate detail. Where do you get your inspiration for these engaging and individual characters?

LR: Most times, I like to have my character’s story be told by the environment they are in. This inspiration comes from wanting to make organized chaos.

Along with character illustration, a lean towards political unrest also seem to be a common thread throughout your work (specifically your publication Petty Problems). Do you aim to address political or social problems through the message of your illustration, or just aim to plant the seed of thought into the spectators mind?

LR: It’s a bonus when my audience is engaged and influenced in the messages of my work, but ultimately, it’s a method for me to let off a little steam. Art is a wonderful way to say something. I want it to be important to me. It’s not like I believe that being caught up in politics and world issues is everything, but there is a lot of truths that people don’t know about, and a lot of lies that people soak up. Love is the greatest truth, so I try my best to have that be a huge part of my art.

Another common theme within your work is nature. Placing this alongside your passion for healthy living, do you feel that current societies are perhaps too caught up in urban living and need to take a step back to re-appreciate nature?

LR: Totally. Human made technology is something to be impressed by, but the technology of natural things in nature is far more advanced than anything we’ve made with buttons. The other problem is with the majority of human made technologies, is that it depends of nature for it’s energy source. Nature depends on itself in an organized chaos kind of way.

Living on an island, you’re set back from urban city living. Does this influence your work?

LR: Maybe. It definitely influences my well being, so yes I guess it does influence my work. I also like to visit cities when I can, because there’s a beauty in human culture that you can’t find in the forest.

You speak often about working on collaborations with other artists. Why do you feel this is so important?

LR: It opens doors. It brings the community together and helps me connect with a lot of talent.

Has collaborating with a wide range of artists influence your own personal style and way of working?

LR: It has. I wouldn’t say it progresses my visual language, it’s more for fun and interaction.

What are you excited about right now and is there anything big on the horizon?

LR: Islands Fold is hosting the Life Centre Project in June of this year, by Portland, OR artists Mark Warren, Jacques and Seth Neefus. I’m also excited about playing music in a “band” called Magic Corporation.

All images belong to Luke Ramsey 2010 http://www.islandsfold.com/index.php?p=