The Bragartist Q&A with Ian Rogers

THE work of Ian Rogers is somewhat difficult to explain fully, but it's beautifully summarised by the man himself as: "Working out hand, eye, heart coordination". Ian's figurative compositions explore a number of themes, all of them getting right up to the edge of the abyss, it seems. Men in hats, ghoulish abominations spurting blood and bodily fluids compete with acres of flesh, topped with smiling faces. Intrigued? You will be when you delve into The Bagartist's Q&A with the man himself.

"Hey, mind my carpet, pal!"

When did you discover art? 

I discovered art over a number of years. At 11 when I won a prize for painting at junior school. At 17 when I wanted to study art but was unable to as  there was no art school where I lived. At  22 when an art gallery offered to pay for tuition and the tutor said go to Europe, at the same time I discovered Carlo Carra.  Once in Europe I then discovered how much art I had left behind in Africa. Since then I discover more everyday. 

Is your art work or play?

Art is of life so it will have all the drudgery and joy of work as well as the  frivolity and inquisitiveness of  competitive and non-competitive play.  

Describe what you do?

Following the loss of my studio work in an art warehouse fire in London, while I was moving home, I stopped  working on  paper and canvas and turned instead to digital work. Primarily photography and then gradually beginning to work with a variety of drawing/painting apps. 

"Who is your art for?

That's a difficult one, I think.  I am unsure who its for really, other than those who discover it and are directed to it, enjoy it and are inquisitive enough to start the silent dialogue of emoji speak. Perhaps for those 

who think that art has work to do. 

"I told you, put that cat out!"

If you could be another artist, who?

The love child of Vermeer and Grunewald.

From where do you draw inspiration?

Everywhere I look is beautiful until its not....which might sound trite but I hope not....existence is the poetry of stuff. Being brought up in Africa, the son of working class white parents the politics of class, colour and ideologies infiltrated my every pore. My inquisitiveness and need to explore science, sex and sentiment are boundless and I am awed by my own and others stupidity. Consequently inspiration is everywhere. 

Tell us about your workspace?

My workspace is the size of what ever pad/tablet i have access to.

What contemporary artists' work do you like?

I like some of the work of many artists.

:: Explore Ian Roger's work at his blog kimgruk.blogspot.com or visit his Instagram page @kenneth_ian_rogers