A Conversation with Rayden Lawrence

Series: Rio 2016: Unranked

Solo Show on view September 5 - 12, 2021

KP: What is your background? How does it inform your art?

RL: I have a background in Education and working with youth, so learning and growing as an individual is a huge motivator for making art. Working with children I've learned to acknowledge my strengths and weakness, and also to be kind to myself. "Rio 2016: Unranked" is inspired by self improvement and kindness.

KP: What themes do you often pursue?

RL: I work with a few different themes that often contrast heavily with each other. In this work, themes of admiration, diversity, and growth are the most prominent themes. In my other work, I also gravitate towards humour, self care, and sometimes fear and mortality.

KP: What do you like about your work?

RL: My favourite thing about this work is everything I was able to learn about people of colour through the large and difficult task of painting 306 portraits. Also, the thought that I'm making a very large effort to represent those who are underrepresented makes me feel very happy and accomplished.

KP: What messages can viewers take from your body of work?

RL: I hope that this work will help people to feel that somebody will notice how hard they are trying and that they deserve recognition for their efforts. Even if you feel that nobody cares how hard you are working, I promise that somebody admires you for it.

KP: Professionally, what’s is your main goal as an artist?

RL : I hope to complete a Master's degree and become a visual arts professor. I love teaching and helping people grow and improve their work, and I think that I could be really helpful.

KP: How has your practice evolved over time?

RL: My practice started as mostly art for arts sake, painting pretty landscapes just for fun. As I completed my bachelors degree I started learning more about the importance of a concept behind an artwork. I've starting working in a large range of mediums so I can learn as much as I can, and I think a lot about why I want to make a certain work and the message it will convey. My practice now is centred around asking important questions and bringing people comfort.

KP: Where can people find you on social media?

RL: https://raydenlawrence99.wixsite.com/website and https://www.instagram.com/rayden_lawrence/

KP: How do you offer your work for sale?

RL: I post my artwork that is for sale on my Instagram, but I also take commissions through Instagram messages or my contact information given on my website

KP: How does it fit in (or not) with the rest of your artwork?

RL: "Rio 2016: Unranked" does not quite fit in with my other work, this was my first large series and also my first portrait series. I've done a lot of work that is repetitive and consistent, and I have also had similar themes in other work. However, this work is quite possibly the most unique and original of all the art I have made so far in my artistic career.