Ahead of the publication of Romany Mark Bruce’s monograph, we’ve asked him some questions about his upcoming book, events and what it was that convinced him to say yes to designing the Brighton and Hove AIDS Memorial:
- Reflecting on working in your Sculpting Colour’s book what are your learning highlights?
I have realised the importance of keeping an archive and systematic cataloguing. For the first two decades (out of three) of my artistic career my records were sparse or non-existent. So, for more than a year I had to trace paintings and sculptures that I had created since 1990. Some I had to trace as far afield as USA and Australia. I have learned the hard way that it would have been very helpful if I had constructed an archive of my work with quality images taken much earlier during my artistic career.To convey 34 years of work in a single book is a highly time-consuming task and a long journey that is very different from creating an artwork. When undertaking such a new kind of task, unlike the isolated process of artistic creativity, I found that mentoring and support was extremely valuable, especially during those times when things were not going well.I never expected to revisit work that I completed such long time ago and it has been a revelation to see just how much I have produced over 34 years. I feel slightly panic-stricken that there is still so much to do, but now that my book is completed, I have more hours in the day to be in my studio.
I hope that readers will enjoy my lessons learned!
- Why did you decide that now was the time to publish your monograph?
I would never have contemplated publishing a monograph if I had not been approached by Unicorn to publish a book. My agent, Miladys Parejo, encouraged me that it was good time to do it. Without an editor to direct me and give me deadlines I am not sure it would have happened as preparing my book has taken up much of my time for more than a year.
- As you reflected on your work and artistic journey with Alex Leith did anything surprise you?
Alex interviewed me during regular sessions over four months. It was an intense experience, one I had never envisaged, but we had a great rapport which made it much more comfortable than it might have been. Through Alex’s research he knew things about my family that I did not know – that came as something of a surprise!
- The story behind how you came to design and create the Brighton and Hove AIDS Memorial, TAY, is remarkable. After meeting with James Ledward and with only a short time to submit your proposal before the applications closed, what inspired you to say yes to this opportunity?
I had, for many years, secretly harboured an ambition to have a public sculpture. I had actively supported HIV/AIDS charities since the death of my friend Paul Tay in 1992. After Paul died, I was overwhelmed with a fear that one day I might forget him. Although by 2007 I knew that this would never be the case and creating the sculpture would be the most wonderful opportunity to honour his memory and to fulfil my own ambition. So being presented with the opportunity to create a memorial I was not going to pass it up.
The book launch in London on 19th September 2024 will be at the Batsford Gallery in Hoxton, London. By chance, and an incredible twist of fate, the gallery is opposite where I lived for a short time in 1982, and where I started my relationship with Paul Tay.
- Event Dates for Romany Mark Bruce
A book launch to celebrate the publication of Romany’s monograph will be held in Brighton on 14th/15th September 2024 in Encounters Art Space, 12 Langdale Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 4HN. Following this, an exhibition will run for two weeks from 20th September – 29th September (Thursday–Friday 12–7pm Saturday–Sunday 11–6pm ) at The Batsford Gallery, Hoxton, 266 Hackney Road, London E2 7SJ.
Romany Mark Bruce: Sculpting Colour is published this September, to find out how you can pre-order your copy, click here.