Reviews
John Smith
Senior Lecturer Visual Arts - Southern Cross University
Byron Shire News 4 May 2007
Waywood Gallery’s first exhibition, under new management, is an extraordinary one indeed. Ron Curran’s Dynamic Drawing classes have been gradually developing a word of mouth reputation, for almost 7 years now. His teaching has quietly but steadily gained an almost legendary status amongst artists, students and the art teaching fraternity in the region. Ron’s unpretentious manner and his uncompromising approach to work nurtures a high level of competency across a diverse range of abilities.
Now, at last, everyone in the community has a chance to view a major group exhibition of works produced Dynamic Drawing students. Ventureland: The Crashing Doors Exhibition is on at Waywood Gallery, 3 Centennial Circuit, A&I Estate Byron Bay until May 12
This exhibition is an explosive fountain of energetic expression and exploration. The figurative and abstract works are much more than life studies or media experiments, they are a demonstration of just how much people can release through an art making process. But they are not just some primal or shocking outburst, the level of achievement displayed in this show is very impressive.
The sensitivity and balance at the edge of release and gathering that allows the work to flow from these Dynamics is achieved through much practise. You can feel the artists breathing through these works. They make me want to go home and paint. It makes me want to put my hand in my pocket too. There are too many good purchases to choose from in this eclectic mix of established artists, students and complete novices to mention here. I can only urge you to visit the show.
The next Art Gallery at Southern Cross University is also showing an exhibition of staff and student work titled Draw, from May 8. I suggest a visit to both these shows as an engaging package.
SCIENTIST SURFING PICASSO
Tabatha Fulker
Northern Star April 2006
We’ve all heard of Surfing the Menu – Bender and Curtis taking us on a culinary tour of Oz with surfboards closer at hand than a garlic crusher – but my partner surfs the artist’s palette.
It’s not as obscure as you think. An environmental scientist who works from home, he gets to take the surf early most mornings, and on a Friday (work allowing) he throws his wetsuit aside for sketch pad, charcoal and ink and steers the deadly treadly to Byron Scout Hall for Ron Curran’s Dynamic Drawing class.
Now, that a surfer draws may not seem so strange (the artwork on any good surfboard blows the myth surfers have a one track talent out of the water), but what astounds me is that what started as wobbly line scratchings vaguely resembling the round turn of a genderless derriere, has crystalised into intricate sweepings of human formed lines I’m delighted to have hanging on our walls.
My scientist surfing Picasso is looking into his Fred Williams' landscape painted dreamy future and is contemplating ACE art classes and Lismore TAFE's highly recommended short and long term courses, but whatever he chooses to follow, he swears unerring loyalty to Ron Curran’s classes.
Everyone is welcomed: Radiohead, Janis Joplin and Miles Davis play on high-rotation, and apparently Ron’s encouragement of the free-formed flowing line drawing is a must for any aspiring artist.
Balancing the mind
Dr Andrew Binns
Lismore Echo 26 May 2005 (Extract)
How can we keep mentally healthy in such a stressful, speedy, materialistic world?
Artist Ron Curran runs life drawing classes in Lismore... He invites not just 'trained' artists but anybody who wishes to express their innermost feelings on paper. Because we can all draw, he says. "The notion that drawing is somehow all about dazzling skill and superior notions of a higher ideal is a popular and destructive myth - drawing is in essence about our humanity, our vulnerabilities," Ron said. "(Drawing is) perhaps about how we restore ourselves or return to our deeper and more legitimate reality".
One drawer who attends his class backs this up by saying "I feel I am really moving something inside me in Ron's class. The worries that had caused my depression are set loose and, with new vitality, I'm able to take control of my reality and feel part of this world again. I realise that I do have permission to be myself, and that's empowering."
Others may find their peace with meditation, prayer, yoga, playing music, knitting or maybe turning a piece of wood on a lathe in the back shed. Discover what it is that nourishes your spirit and make time to do it often.
Patrizia Reimer whips up a portrait of drawing teacher Ron Curran
Byron Shire Echo December 21, 2004
The dynamo of letting go
There’s a certain quality about Ron Curran that is hard to define yet pervades his way of talking, moving and relating to people. It’s a vibrancy that shows in his inability to stand still and an energy that comes through in his passion for his work. In a word, it’s dynamic. Whoever thought up the name for the art classes he has been offering for ten years around the Shire did not have to think too hard to come up with Dynamic Drawing. ‘I’m trying to coach people to let go because there’s a lot of inhibitions, I’m trying to say, let’s clear that out and start drawing and it turns into a point where a momentum starts happening,’ he said. ‘It’s okay to bring your expressions forward and say this is how I do it, we’re not looking for prototypes, what’s important is whether or not the work you’re doing has that integrity. I can provide a facility and conditions where you can do that.’ One of his students defines is way of talking as ‘Ronspeak’, kind of prattle that goes on in the background as she draws. It is undoubtedly unique way of inspiring class of diverse people ho manage in the space of to and a half hours to produce numerous drawings under Ron's coaching.
To an observer, it seems erratic, chaotic, almost un-classlike, but it works. Of all the courses, classes and coaching sessions that are offered in the Byron Bay area, Ron’s has withstood the test of time, lasting a decade and growing from a small group of artists assembling to inspire one another to three regular and full classes in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Lismore. And he has spawned many a great talent who has gone from his class to exhibit or be paid for their art, Kelly O’Dempsie, Kaye Wearne and Rose Prideaux to name a few. ‘I think there’s a lot of people out there who really are creative people, especially in this Shire, who aren't given an opportunity and I’ve created a space where that opportunity is given,’ said Ron. ‘Everybody has creative potential, every single person.’
Ron has a background in graphic design and commercial art but spent his early years in the Shire, where he has lived since 1978, running his own aluminium fabrication business at Main Arm. He has since completed a visual arts course and finally finished setting up his own studio at Bangalow where he spends his non-teaching time working on his own art for a future exhibition. He started the classes because at the time, there was nowhere for him to freestyle and mould his style. He thought if he could assemble other artists they could chip in for the cost of a venue and a model to pose for them. It grew from being an assembly of uncoached artists to one where he facilitates the process and makes himself available for inspiration and advice.
The classes are in fact very dynamic in the way they proceed. Ron allows his model to pose in any way she chooses and he instructs his students to spend one minute drawing, first totally freehand, then with left hand, then with right, then with both and so on. Music plays fairly loudly in the background, ranging from the Rolling Stones to Jeff Buckley and trestle tables are set up in a square. Artists are free to draw or paint in whatever medium they like and in whatever position they choose with people squatting, standing or sitting on chairs as they draw. The nude model regularly changes position in the middle while Ron roams the room inspiring people to let go and saying ‘it’s okay’ to do this or to do that... a lot. For Ron, the crux of what he is trying to teach is that it is all okay, anything goes, there is no right or wrong way to express yourself creatively. ‘It takes a lot of time to unlearn stuff, a lot of people carry a lot of shame and if they can overcome that shame and say, “my voice is just as legitimate and just as valid as everyone else”, we’re halfway there,’ he explains. ‘It’s up to me not to fail people, sometimes I can be a bit abstract.’ While it all seems a little airy fairy Ron is incredibly down-to-earth, approachable and well-liked. Last Wednesday he turned 56 and as his students settled in at the Drill Hall in Mullumbimby a little stand displayed the cards he was given by some of these very students. Inside were expressions of what can only be described as love or admiration for him with sentiments basically lauding his beautiful persona and lovely nature.
While the students come and go, many gaining enough inspiration in a few sessions to pursue their own artistic goals elsewhere, Ron is concerned that a lot of people do not ‘get’ what his classes are about and miss out on what he has to offer by only coming once. ‘Long poses are harder, you forget what you’re drawing, most people see drawing as getting a perfect likeness,’ he said. ‘A lot of people freak out and think there’s not enough time to finish the drawing, or they don’t understand what I’m talking about but to me this is the same thing as coming to meditation, you’ve got to disengage a lot of stuff, that’s the difference between art and illustration.’
Loose draws liberate art
Megan Kinninment
Northern Star 8 Dec 04
Peek through the door of the Byron Bay Scout hall on a Friday morning to discover a sensual, bohemian scene.
Rhythmic music plays, a nude model drapes seductively over a chair and students of all ages perch where they can – on tables, the floor, or scribbling madly at easels.
All are drawn to a unique experience created by former builder and illustrator, Ron Curran. Ron’s Dynamic Drawing classes have become an institution in Byron Bay, but the atmosphere is far from a traditional life drawing class.
The sensual ambience and esoteric, philosophical approach Ron offers has kept artists coming back for nearly a decade.
‘These classes have changed my life,’ one student said. ‘Ron's changed the way I look at everything.’ ‘Ron's helped me find my language’ says another.
Ron started classes in Mullumbimby nine years ago, expanding to offer them in Byron Bay and Lismore, with a following among both amateurs, travellers and serious, professional artists. They flock for the atmosphere of encouragement and the freedom Ron gives them to experiment. Whether it’s a realistic depiction of a life-model or a mass of angry scrawls on paper, Ron will find merit in it, allowing each artist to develop confidence and take a bold creative step.
“My classes are not teaching like a ‘how to draw book’” Ron said. “It's like dancing – you don’t have to think about it after a while. I play music to remind people that drawing is sensual, it involves all the senses, not just the visual. The inspiration works for people on many levels. I encourage people who have never ever drawn before to just let go, let loose. I give them permission to be heard and respected.”