Ras Ishi Butcher

Visual artist, teacher

Ras Ishi Butcher is a self-taught, multi-award-winning Barbadian artist. He has been producing art since the early 1980s, is recognised throughout the Caribbean and internationally, and is most closely associated with equally recognised, fellow Barbadian artist Ras Akyem Ramsay. His work, which is largely socially-themed, experimental and non-representional, is represented in many private and public collections including the Barbados National Art Collection. He currently teaches in the Bachelor of Fine Arts programme at the Barbados Community College.

WHO AM I?

his is a complex question, since i think that at this moment, i am still evolving as a person. i think i am as complex as the question, because everyday who i think i am is always changing depending on all of my encounters and experiences each day, each moment.

WHAT AM I?

i am a typical caribbean male of african descent, and so i am almost schizophrenic (with dual personality, european/african and sometimes indian), which affects my thinking or assists me in viewing things from various perspectives.

WHAT I DO

i am a person/craftsman who tries to make fine things/objects with my hands.

HOW I DO WHAT I DO

in making objects, i try to utilise everything possible at my disposal, and usually the media i use determines what i do with them and the ideas i want to resolve personally or communicate with the viewer. at times, i discover the secrets of the materials/media and manipulate them to my advantage. i pride myself as being an efficient craftsman.

INFLUENCES

everything and everyone influences me...i am addicted to tv/film/dramas...i try to gather inspiration from everything (encounters and experiences always inform me).

ON FAILING BETTER NEXT TIME

i am never satisfied with the last work i did, that’s why i am doing the next one after it, although i believe that all the work is just a continuum of one work. I love to make mistakes because i know i am getting better.

MY LAST BIG THING

an exhibition in January 2010 and catalogue/book named Secret Diaries.

CHOICE WORDS

f**k...life...Almighty...artist

DISCOVER MORE...

http://www.rasishi.com

Diario secreto seis; mixed media, 2008.
Diario secreto seis; mixed media, 2008.
Diario secreto siete; mixed media, 2008
Diario secreto siete; mixed media, 2008