‘The Musicians Who Only Play and Sing for the Drowning’

The collaborative event that I have received funding from and ‘Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’,involves the exploration of  marrying ‘sculpting  with sound’ techniques with my improvisational  Indian music discipline/practice.   The two musicians who have joined me on this project are Jack Harman guitar and Jon Tyre electronics and is also the recording engineer. It has been recorded at Maker Heights in Cornwal
Hopefully the production of vinyl recording and limited addition print will be available at some point in 2021

‘The Musicians Who Only Play and Sing for the Drowning‘ is a body of work that I have been developing since July 2018, when I moved into our new studio in Castlemount Victoria Place Axminster. Most of this work is on unstrethed canvas primed and with a number of coats of gesso applied. Much of my large work i had to take of the stretchers and roll up to store as the door to the studio and stairs made it impossible to keep them on their stretchers.This brought to my mind that I couldn’t carry on working the way I had before. It was to some extent traumatic but we are in traumatized times anyway. The title is drawn from the pain I feel as a visual artist, and musician about the migration of peoples, the loss of life and of dreams which have been sacrificed on route to a sometimes hostile destination.

‘the musicians who only sing and play for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain. Indian ink on gesso on canvas ‘finished’ 180cm x 129cm 2018/19


This piece has been created in conjunction with the music which I have composed entitled ‘The Musicians Who Only Play And Sing For The Drowning’.
I play sitar (and have since 1972) studying Indian Classical Music since then see (www.indian-music.org ). The recording has been made possible from funding from Arts Council England (ACE) with support from the National Lottery. The two musicians who have joined me on this project are Jack Harman guitar and Jon Tyre electronics and is also the recording engineer. It has been recorded at Maker Heights in Cornwall
Hopefully the production of vinyl recording and limited addition print will be available at some point in 2021
The Tuner for the Musicians who only Play and Sing For the Drowning 174cm x 120cm Oil and Indian Ink on gesso on canvas 2020 (private collection)
‘Four Melodies To Change Your Mind’ part of ‘The Musicians Who Only Play and Sing For The Drowning ‘series 157cm x 143cm oil and Indian ink on gesso on canvas. 2020/21
I have for many years been influenced musically by the minimalist composers such as Terry Riley, Lee Mont Young, Philip Glass and Steve Reich. In particular the graphic scores of Cornelius Cardew have captured my visual imagination. Within this body of work my intention was to always create a graphic score for my musicians, this is my offering. Oil and Indian Ink on Gesso on canvas 180cm x 160cm. 2020/21
‘the musicians who only sing and play for the drowning’ by ricky Romain. Indian ink on gesso on canvas ‘finished’ 180cm x 69cm 2019
‘one of the musicians who only sing and play for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain. Indian ink on gesso on canvas ‘finished’ 160cm x 60cm 2019
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ panel 8 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstreched canvas. 175cm x 49cm.
The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ panel 8 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstreched canvas. 168cm x 85cm. (private collection)
The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ind on gesso on canvas 225cm x 125cm
detail ‘The Musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain Indian ink and Gesso on canvas
detail ‘The Musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain Indian ink and oil on gesso on canvas
detail ‘The Musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain. Indian ink and gesso on canvas
‘The Musicians Who Only Play and Sing For The Drowning’ by Ricky Romain no 10. 162cm x 122cm oil and Indian Ink on unstreched canvas 2020
detail from panel 10 by Ricky Romain
Detail from ‘The Musician Who Only Play and Sing For The Drowning’ panel 10 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on canvas.
Detail from ‘The Musician Who Only Play and Sing For The Drowning’ panel 10 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on canvas
Detail from ‘The Musician Who Only Play and Sing For The Drowning’ panel 10 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on ca
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right’ (title from Bob Dylan) painting by Ricky Romain. oil and Indin ink on gesso on canvas 25cm x 25cm. 2019. (private collection) From the body of work entitled ‘the musicians who only play and sing for the drowning,
Figures kneeling and dreaming’ by Ricky Romain 2021
Oil and Indian ink on gesso on Canvas 62cm x 62cm
‘The Vadi of The Raga is Ga’ oil and Indian Ink on gesso on canvas. by Ricky Romain. 82cm x 82cm. 2021
‘The Vadi of The Raga is Ga’ oil and Indian Ink on gesso on canvas. by Ricky Romain. 82cm x 75cm. 2021
The Vocalist by Ricky Romain. oil and Indian ink on gesso on canvas 160cm x 82cm. 2021
The Instrumentalist in Jhaptal (10 beats) by Ricky Romain. oil and Indian ink on gesso on canvas 160cm x 82cm. 2021
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on canvas. 63cm x 49cm (private collection)
Unsung Day by Ricky Romain Oil on Canvas 35cm x 35cm 2021 (private collection)
One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ by Ricky Romain. oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 109cm x 68cm 2019
One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ by Ricky Romain. oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 109cm x 68cm 2019
One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ by Ricky Romain. oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 120cm x 48cm 2019
‘One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 108cm x 58cm 2019. This image is on the cover of Carla Ferstman’s book ‘Conceptualising Arbitrary Detention’ (published by University of Bristol) 
‘One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 98cm x 62cm  2019
‘One of the Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ No 6 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 169cm x 62cm  2020
‘The Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ No 7 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 169cm x 62cm  2020 (private collection)
‘The Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ No 8 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 119cm x 36cm  2020
‘The Musicians who Only Play for the Drowning’ No 9 by Ricky Romain oil and Indian ink on gesso on unstrecthed canvas. 110cm x 60cm  2020



3 of THE MUSICIANS WHO ONLY PLAY AND SING FOR THE DROWNING 2020-2025 CUT OUT OIL AND INDIAN INK ON GESSO ON CANVAS 128CM X 82CM
One Of The Musicians Who Play And Sing For The Drowning’ No 11 2022 by Ricky Romain. Oil and Indian Ink On gesso on canvas 162cm x 120cm
Praying Soul by Ricky Romain. Indian Ink on gesso on unstreched canvas 166cm x 122cm
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain page from one of my sketch books.
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain. page from one ov my sketch books (private collection)
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain. page from one of my sketch books
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain page from one of my sketch books
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky Romain page from one of my sketch books.
‘The musicians who only play and sing for the drowning’ by Ricky romain a page from one of my sketch books.

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