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Artist Statement
I create through a process I call Iterative Expression. Iteration is the repetition of a process or procedure performed on a set of inputs. This is distinguished from simple repetition by the fact that each iteration must be different, even if only slightly, from the one before it. Each iteration defines a new possible variation, combination or transformation. Iteration is not about repetition; it is about evolution. One could say my work is "about emotion", "about color", "about form" or "about stroke" because all of these elements could be identified as evolving variations within my set.
Each of my paintings is based on a drawing. I draw constantly in an effort to channel subconscious feelings. For any one painting I make many iterative drawings, usually several hundred for each large painting, but occasionally several thousand. The process is two-fold, first raw expression, second analysis and selection. Over the years I have filled many sketch books with iterative drawings.
Iteration assumes change, whether chaotic, random or purposeful. By holding some elements constant, such as the subject, the differences between iterations are exposed and explored. In my art, the chaotic element is subconscious thoughts and emotions. These chaotic emotions are then quantifiable and comparable by examination of their effect on the iterations.
The face is the simplest means of expressing a complex emotion. Each of my individual iterations represents an instantaneous emotional state, but deeper meaning can be found in the differences within the progression. None of my paintings have titles because each represents an instant of pure emotion, which exists outside of language. To label a pure emotion with words would introduce outside associations that carry their own emotional connotations. My aim is to allow the emotion to speak for itself.
Emotion, Faces, Subconscious
I studied emotional response in college; my masters thesis involved measuring emotional response to stimuli and using these measurements to predict behavior. One concept that was very interesting to me was the difficulty of measuring emotion. People tend to use different words to describe similar emotions, the same words may have different connotations to different people, and of course measuring emotion in words limits distinctions due to boundaries established by the subject's vocabulary. This inspired me to create art that can define emotions free from the prejudices of language. Labeling a painting with a title is inherently prejudicial; it influences the viewer's interpretation of the work and assumes there is a correct reading. Emotions are not right or wrong, they just are.
Subconscious thoughts play an important part in the creation and selection of each drawing. I use iteration as a means of channeling the subconscious and bringing it out into the open. Drawing is a therapeutic process for me. As I settle into the rhythm of sketching, thoughts bubble up from the back of my brain. These thoughts guide my hand and also my eyes, as I am intently looking at each figure for a face that I recognize. I repeat a similar motion, almost like a signature, to create each face. There is no set point at which the face is "complete" - I just stop at the when I recognize the figure as a face, and move on to the next one. Thoughts are a lot faster than words, and it's not strange to go through many different and distinct thoughts and feelings while filling a single page with sketches.
I sketch faces because they fascinate me. Faces are a universal statement of emotion that exists outside of verbal language. A face is the simplest way of communicating a complex emotion; the meaning requires no translation around the world. Instead of names, I give my paintings dates, a period of time for which the emotion depicted was significant.
Biography:
Since moving to Miami in 2004, Ross Ford has exhibited in multiple group and solo shows with his signature style of abstract facial expressions. He has been featured in City Link Miami, Miami New Times, The Joe Castello Show, NBC 6 Miami, Daily Candy Miami, JoshSpear.com and the Travel Channel. In 2009 Ross moved his studio to the Bakehouse Art Complex in the Wynwood Arts District in Miami. Ross Ford has a Bachelors Degree from Hampshire College and a Masters Degree from the University of Florida.
Exhibitions:
Iterative Expression – Solo Show – GAB Studio, 105 NW 23rd Street, Miami, Florida 33127 – June 5th, 2010
Selected Works – Solo Show – AE District, 3852 N, Miami Ave, Miami, Florida 33127 – May 8th, 2010
April Group – Group Show – GAB Studio, 105 NW 23rd Street, Miami, Florida 33127 – April 10th, 2010
Lucky You 2 – Group Show – Bakehouse Art Complex, 561 NW 32nd Street, Miami, Florida 33127 – January 8th-29th, 2010
Miami International Art Fair – Group Show – Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139 – January 7th-10th, 2010
Overthrow @ GenArt Vanguard – Group Show – Aqua Art Fair, 42 NE 25th Street, Miami, FL 33137 – December 3rd-6th, 2009
Arroz con Leche – Group Show – Transit Lounge, Miami, FL 33130 – December 5th, 2009
BAC23 – Group Show – Bakehouse Art Complex, Miami, FL 33127 – December 2nd-6th, 2009
Miami's Independent Thinkers – Group Show – Mitrani Warehouse, Miami, FL 33127 – December 2nd-6th, 2009
Current Works: Painting – Group Show – Miami Miami Art Exchange, Miami, FL 33127 – November 14th-28th, 2009
Recently Acquired – Group Show – Miami Dade College, Miami, FL 33176 – September 17th-October 10th, 2009
Live Rescue – Benefit Show – Electric Pickle, Miami, FL 33127 – June 25th, 2009
Addiction – Solo Show – 15 South, Sarasota, FL 34236 – May 21st, 2009
Eva Danielle 2009 Spring Lifestyle Showcase – Group Exhibition – Casanova, Miami Beach, FL – March 21st, 2009
State of the Art – Group Exhibition – The White Room, Miami, FL – February 27th, 2009
Unbeak Basel – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – December 6th, 2008
Just Relieve Benefit Show – Group Exhibition – Miami Science Museum, Miami, FL – January 31st, 2009
Unbeak Basel – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – December 6th, 2008
Timeline – Group Exhibition – 128 NW 25 St, Miami, FL – December 5th, 2008
Hustle Collective – Group Exhibition – The Marlin, Miami Beach, FL – December 2-7th, 2008
Recent Paintings – Solo Show – Century Hotel, Miami Beach, FL – December 3rd, 2008
Metamorphosis – Group Exhibition – Alt Space Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – August 16th, 2008
Culture Couture – Group Exhibition – Alt Space Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – August 1st, 2008
Loaded Deck – Group Exhibition – Alt Space Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – June 20th, 2008
New Paintings – Solo Show – Buck15, Miami Beach, FL – April 23rd, 2008
1 Year Anniversary – Group Exhibition – Butter Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – April 19th, 2008
Magic City – Group Exhibition – Buck15, Miami Beach, FL – March 12th, 2008
Unbreak Basel – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – December 8th, 2007
The First Paintings – Solo Exhibit – Van Dyke Upstairs, Miami Beach, FL – December 7th, 2007
Recent Work – Solo Show – Segafredo, Miami Beach, FL – December 6th, 2007
Miami's Vision: 5 year celebration with mayor Manny Diaz – Dolores Restaurant Lounge, Miami, FL, November 20th, 2007
Unbreak – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – November 10th, 2007
Cooler Art – Group Exhibition – Damien B. Gallery, Miami, FL – October 27th, 2007
2X Butter – Group Exhibition – Butter Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – October 20th, 2007
The First Show – Group Exhibition – Butter Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL – August 4th, 2007
State of the Art – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – June 23rd, 2007
Miami Art Connection – Group Exhibition – Flavour, Coconut Grove, FL – April 29th, 2007
Miami Art Connection – Group Exhibition – Flavour, Coconut Grove, FL – March 25th, 2007
Synergy Sunday – Group Exhibition – Circa 28, Miami, FL – March 18th, 2007
State of the Art – Group Exhibition – PS14, Miami, FL – March 10th, 2007
Recent Events, Solo Show – Karma, Miami, FL January 25th, 2007
Supremus Roots, Group Exhibition – Soya y Pomodoro, Miami, FL – September 29th, 2006
Please come by and see my work at:
Bakehouse Art Complex
561 NW 32nd Street
Miami, Florida 33127
Studio 15
(305)401-2531
www.bacfl.org
Press:
South Florida Today, NBC6 Miami, June 2, 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CZhURJ0m2w
Fresh Art, City Link, May 26th, 2010:
http://citylinkmix.com/art/fresh-art-20/
Joe Castello Show, SoFLoRadio.com, May 21st, 2010:
http://joecastello.com/media/20100521-GABStudio_Ross-Ford-Art.mp3
Crossfade, Miami New Times, May 13th, 2010:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2010/05/dont_post_artist_ross_ford_lea.php
6 Artists You Need To Know, City Link Miami July 23, 2008:
http://southflorida.metromix.com/events/photogallery/six-artists-you-need/518163/content
SweetStation.Com August 12, 2008:
http://www.sweet-station.com/blog/?p=989
Amuse the Ants Interview by Colleen Dougher, April 23, 2008:
http://amusetheants.blogspot.com/2008/04/faces-of-ross-ford.html
JoshSpear.Com December 12, 2006:
http://www.joshspear.com/item/ross-ford-paintings-miami/
NatCreole.com Interview, November 1, 2006:
http://www.natcreole.com/no12.htm#art1
Ross Ford is an artist based in Miami, FL
RossFordArt LOGO AND SITE CONTENT © 2009
