Ross Belton
London, UK
Based in London, Ross’ practice is centred around nature in an urban environment, a sense of place, utilising and repurposing found and recycled materials are key to both sustainability and minimising his artistic footprint.
Examining our relationship with the nature that surrounds us, drawing on his own consumption, time, identity and personal history, these inform his concerns, while embracing the flaws and exploring their beauty.
The materials lead the work, in his hands they are retrained, twisted and woven into something new. They form a visual language, growing and evolving, forming clusters which create volume. Without an endpoint, the work develops its own individual character, inviting us to view things in a different way. As a proficient natural dyer Ross uses natural colour in his work.
In face of political discourse and global conflict, Ross’ new work considers the legislative erosion of: civil liberties, gender alignment, the environmental effect of climate change and the acceptability of violence perpetrated by fundamentalist ideology. A core of egocentric wealthy individuals, empowering mainstream media’s flagrant use of misinformation, creating fear and hate, flaming the rise of far right nationalism. The importance of protecting human rights and the right to protest lead the work.
Photographs: Jonathan Dredge