POINT101 INTERVIEW WITH RYADRAWS
Interview with Ryadraws
Ryadraws is a London based digital artist, currently exhibiting at Rivington Studios as part of The Anti Trump Art Show.
Tell us about your upcoming exhibition as part of Creative Debuts Anti Trump art show
The exhibition will focus on our depictions of America’s celebrity in chief, Trump!
There was an open call put out a couple of months ago, and I was one of the artists selected to exhibit on the 12th of July.
How strongly do you feel about social art as a young practicing artist?
Day by day we are continually being presented with distractions, and we forget what is going on around us. The issues that deserve our attention. Social art is a way for us to be informed by pretty pictures.
Where do you envision your work belonging?
Magazines but mainly in galleries. We have gotten to a point where digital art is becoming more widely accepted and galleries treat digital art like you would any traditional painting.
How would you describe your techniques?
I replicate my traditional drawing process but in a digital space. Most of my work will start off with a pencil sketch on paper, and then I will scan the image in and render digitally.
I layer my images metaphorically, and bury meaning within to be discovered, and when possible add an Adrinka symbol if it matches the artwork.
The Adrinka’s are Ghanaian symbols of the Ashanti that represent thoughts and I use them in my work to further explain my ideas.
Would you call yourself more of a traditional artist?
No, a lot of my work is digital, and there is no physical output until printed. Digital art has made my process more straightforward, I don’t have to think about being extra careful while drawing to make sure I don’t smudge the page etc.
Painting and sculptures are on my radar to explore, and I do write from time to time - I doubt I will ever share them though.
What type of paper do you think works best with your printed artwork?
Hahnemuhle German Etching is literally the only thing I print on and gives me the desired visual. I can’t get enough of the grain and paper texture.
When you aren’t producing art, what do you like to do?
Sleeping, watching TV shows and I play games from time to time. I’m currently playing Zelda: Breathe of the wild. I set myself a project often just so I don’t get burnt out from drawing. At the moment, I’m teaching myself UI/UX and animation.
The usual stuff, reading and hanging out with friends.
Is there anything that particularly influences your projects or inspires you?
Everything around me. Unfortunately, a lot of what fuels my practise tends to be the negatives. I’ll flip it and show my outlook on the topic.
Any more exciting projects on the horizon?
I will be illustrating a children’s book focusing on Ghanaian lore. Also on the horizon is a billboard illustration which will be a painting focusing on social commentary. I have a few ideas floating around on what I’m going to paint.
Ryadraws and The Anti Trump Art Show
The Anti Trump Art Show promotion with Ryadraws' artwork
"In response to Donald’s Trump’s planned visit to London on 13th July, Creative Debuts have joined forces with over 50 artists to show their collective disdain of the, ‘dangerous racism, sexism and narcissism that flow daily from the White House,’ through a unique art exhibition.
The exhibition celebrates a specially curated range of contemporary artwork including photography, sculpture, craft, fine art, and film whilst raising money for End Violence Against Women"-Creative Debuts 2018
See more of Ryadraws' work here.
Check out Creative Debuts.