Ronald Rae: An Inner Life

Ronald Rae is a rare example of a Gesamtkunstler, creating artworks almost every day for 60 years. He is best known as a granite sculptor, using hand tools to create works on war, racism, social exclusion, and alienation. This monograph contains a biography and covers his artistic development, with extensive illustrations introducing him to a new audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2023
Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group

Ronald Rae is a remarkable example of a Gesamtkunstler, a term used to describe a total artist who excels in multiple artistic disciplines. Since his early years, Rae's artistic journey has been extraordinary, beginning with his first cartoon at the age of 14 and swiftly followed by his initiation into stone carving at 15. For the next 60 years, he dedicated himself to creating art almost daily, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication.

Rae's primary focus as an artist was on granite sculpture, a challenging medium that requires the use of hand tools to create works on a large scale. His mastery of this material is truly remarkable, as he is the only artist working at this scale with such traditional tools. After a long day of carving, Rae would often retreat to his studio to engage in another creative pursuit. He would draw prolifically, using a wide range of media, including ink, wax, paper, collage, carved and sun-inscribed wood, cardboard, found objects, books, and newspapers.

The themes explored in Rae's artwork are diverse and profound, reflecting his deep understanding of human nature and the world around him. War, racism, social exclusion, alienation, the relationship between humans and animals, early art forms, religion, and loss are among the subjects he addressed through his art. Rae's piano improvisations were also noteworthy, showcasing his musical talent and his ability to create captivating melodies that reflected the emotions and themes of his paintings.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Rae was also a published poet in Spain, further demonstrating his multi-faceted talent. His monograph, which serves as this comprehensive study, provides a detailed biography of the artist and explores the broad aspects of his artistic development. Extensively illustrated, the volume introduces Rae to a new audience and showcases his visceral yet ultimately tender depiction of the human condition.

Overall, Ronald Rae's life and work exemplify the concept of a Gesamtkunstler, a person who possesses a rare blend of artistic talent and intellectual depth. His dedication to his craft and his ability to explore a wide range of artistic mediums have left a lasting impact on the art world, and his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.

Weight: 856g
Dimension: 226 x 248 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911397601