Ronald Rae is a rare example of a 'total artist' or Gesamtkunstler. Since penning his first cartoon at the age of 14, closely followed by taking a chisel to his first stone at 15, Rae created artworks almost every day for the next 60 years. Rae is best known as a granite sculptor, being the only artist working at scale on this most obdurate of materials using hand tools. After coming home exhausted from carving, Rae would also draw prolifically, and create work in a bewildering variety of media including ink and wax on paper, collage, carved and sun-inscribed wood, cardboard, found objects, books and newspapers. Themes included war, racism, social exclusion and alienation, humans and the animal world, early artforms, religion, and loss. Rae created extensive piano improvisations and he was also a published poet in Spain. This monograph contains a biography and covers the broad aspects of Rae's artistic development and his approach to his work. Extensively illustrated, the volume will introduce the artist to a new audience and bring attention to his visceral yet ultimately tender depiction of the human condition.

About the Author
Robert De Mey grew up in Edinburgh and was educated at George Heriot's School before qualifying from Edinburgh Medical School in 1985. He trained as a GP then as a psychiatrist for older people, and continues to work in this field. The 1990s brought an interest in art collecting and friendship with several artists and gallerists. As a parent, he became passionate about the role of the visual arts in education and became chair of Maybole Young Arts and then Ayrshire Young Arts until 2021. He is curating his first public exhibition at Rozelle Gallery, Ayr in 2023.

Reviews

"This is a much-needed book, with Robert De Mey's rigorous text tracing the career of a significant and singular artist. Ronald Rae's haunting and expressive biro and mixed media illustrations give insight into his complex and turbulent imaginative world, whilst images of his often monumental, extraordinarily expressive stone sculptures convey his passion for humanity and the natural world. Ronald Rae: An Inner Life reveals the tremendous compassion and prowess of a larger-than-life artist and man." - Clare Lilley, Director, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Book Information
ISBN 9781911397601
Author Robert de Mey
Format Hardback
Page Count 112
Imprint Unicorn Publishing Group
Publisher Unicorn Publishing Group