The bonds between human beings can be directly associated with lineage and ancestry or they can be more widely linked to the kinship of shared ideologies.
Paternal sensitivities and fraternal loyalties, when deeply felt towards our own children, and to our own siblings, can heighten our awareness of the notion of ‘family’ in a much more global sense.
Within painting, a father and child is not used as a symbolic image as often as a mother and child; perhaps it taps too deeply into the issue of male vulnerability.
Very often the symbolic images of comradeship and brotherhood also tend to be associated with fighting physical or metaphorical battles, rather than occasionally celebrating it for its own sake.
A Lullaby and a Lament, by Ricky Romain (2007, oil and ink on paper, private collection).Kaddish, by Ricky Romain (2004/2005, oil on canvas, 157cm x 152cm, not for sale).‘Birth In The Time Of Covid’ 182cm x160 cm. Ricky Romain. Oil ind Indian Ink on Gesso on Canvas 2021Out of Place, by Ricky Romain (2002/2003, oil on canvas, 177cm x 146cm.).The Conscious and Unconscious Embrace, by Ricky Romain (2006, oil on canvas, 217cm x 117cm,).
‘The Winged Being Of My Youth’ 185cm x 120cm Oil and Indian Ink on Gesso on Canvas. 2025/26. When I was a kid living in a council house in London I would take myself of to the British Museum and encounter so many Winged beings and new worlds. I have such conflict in my mind now about such acquisitions, but as a kid they inspired and comforted me.
‘The Winged Being Of My Youth’ No 2. 200cm x 108cm Oil and Indian Ink on Gesso on Canvas. 2025/26. When I was a kid living in a council house in London I would take myself of to the British Museum and encounter so many Winged beings and new worlds. I have such conflict in my mind now about such acquisitions, but as a kid they inspired and comforted me.‘The Winged Being Of My Youth’ No 3. 200cm x 69cm Oil and Indian Ink on Gesso on Canvas. 2025/26. When I was a kid living in a council house in London I would take myself of to the British Museum and encounter so many Winged beings and new worlds. I have such conflict in my mind now about such acquisitions, but as a kid they inspired and comforted me. This piece really comes from my dreams at that time and remembering a number of flying dreams. For the last 4 months I have been exploring these memories, I am finding the present conflicts so difficult. I can only imagine how difficulti it is for the humanity in those regions
The Dweller by Ricky Romain. ( 2003/4 oil on canvas Private Collection. Image used on front cover of Livre d’Alienations precede de L’ile du Suicide by Clara Janes.Published by Delit Editions)
Facing East by Ricky Romain (2006 oil, ink and pastel on paper 28cm x 19cm. Private Collection)
Rising to Birth with me as my own Brother. by Ricky Romain. (2007 oil ink and pastel on paper 28cm x 19cm Private Collection)
Mother and Son by Ricky Romain (2006/12 oil and Indian ink on canvas 155cm x 120cm)
Open hearted, empty hands. by Ricky Romain (2010 oil on paper. 44cm x 34cm.)
Remember my friend. Remember. by Ricky Romain (2012 19cm x 19cm. Private Collection.)
Unanswered Questions. by Ricky Romain. (2012 oil and ink on paper Private Collection)
Contemplating early images. By Ricky Romain (2011 oil and ink on paper. 25cm x 10cm.)
‘Touching the impression of Blue.’ by Ricky Romain (2010 oil and ink on paper. Private Collection)
Father and Son by Ricky Romain. (2008 oil on canvas 40cm x 30cm. Private Collection)
