Interview with Ronan Dillon

Ronan Dillon

I hope this message finds you well. It was a pleasure meeting you at the Post Vandalism show curated for the 10-year anniversary of Unruly Gallery at the Hem Museum. Your work immediately captivated us, and we were thrilled to add one of your hand-tufted pieces to our personal collection. Could you please share some insights into the background and inspiration behind these remarkable works?
RD: The hand tufted woollen work are an evolution of works on paper which documented farmers markings on sheep in the west of Ireland. I had moved from Dublin to the West Coast of Ireland to surf and to have more space to make art. Driving along the coast to surf different waves I was inspired by the spray painted markings on sheep which reminded me of graffiti tags in the city I had just left. Irish sheep's wool is an amazing underused, sustainable product. Its a cosy material to work with after a surf in the North Atlantic!

The signs adorning the sheep in your hand-tufted pieces evoke a sense of narrative and symbolism. Could you delve into the story behind these signs and how they intertwine with your artistic vision?
RD: There are many, many different farmers' marks, and each can tell a different story. There are loose spray painted marks for ownership sprayed onto sheep which are let loose on commanage. More graphic marks, circles, lines, dots, X's etc can be used to indicate lambing, medical dosage and even rogue sheep! The painterly freedom of the farmers' spray painted markings echoed my new found freedom living in the wildness of the west of Ireland. 

Looking ahead, do you have any exciting projects or exhibitions on the horizon? 
RD:I am creating a new solo Show in Hamburg this May. The exhibition will showcase paintings with new experimental farmer's materials. Sheep dye, solid lumps of graphite and marking crayons as well as spray paint. The exhibition will also look at the reintroduction of wild wolves in Germany and their relationship with sheep and sheep farmers!

Ronan Dillon - Looking for the Gap, 2023

We're showcasing your work "Looking for the Gap" at Art Amsterdam, featuring a sheep in search of a hole in the fence. Is there a deeper significance or message behind this particular piece?
RD: Sheep are notorious escape artists! Rogue sheep are constantly looking for a gap in the fence to go and cause some havoc. It captures an exciting moment in time where anything can happen.
The idea of escape is an idea that everyone in the world can relate to. I like to ask people who look at my 'Escape Artist' series... what does escape mean to you!?

Currently, you're embarking on an inspirational surf tour in Bali, exploring local materials and ideas. Bali is renowned for its artistic vibrancy. Could you elaborate on your experiences there and how they influence your creative process?
RD: I have spent a couple of years of my life on and off in Bali. Known as 'The Island of the Gods' it is a beautiful and spiritual Hindu Island. I am lucky to have been here for 'Ogoh Ogoh', a parade of sculptural demons on the eve of Nyepi, which is a day of silence and meditation. Despite the scary demonic statues the parade is joyous. Here I was inspired to create an artwork capturing the mood of the evening. In Bali Bamboo is sacred, not 1 piece is wasted, so I used a bamboo meditation mat as the surface for the painting. As an advantage the mat is pre-framed and is designed to be rolled up, handy.

How long do you plan to stay in Bali, and what are your impressions of the local art scene? Are there any standout local artists or projects you're particularly drawn to?
RD: I will stay here 1 month this time. The local art scene is growing all the time in Bali, the Balinese are highly skilled crafts people working with local materials, wood and bamboo and more recently plastic waste! I like the work of Balinese artists Gusti ayu Dwi Sudarwa, Plastik Kembali are making some beautiful works with recycled plastic waste. Space Available by Daniel Mitchell (Creative director of Potato Head) are also making waves with sustainable materials.
But hit the back roads and find the traditional Balinese craftspeople to be blown away by wood carvings and bamboo weaving!

Thank you for taking the time to share your insights, and enjoy the waves during your Holiday
RD: Surfs up!