Peter Ransom (1976-80)

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 13

Peter Ransom (1976-80)

Two years after > leaving art school Peter Ransom is 17.5 hours a week away from being a full-time artist.

He works those hours as a kitchenhand to pay the cost of living. The rest of his time is spent working on his etchings, woodcuts, sketches, and prints.

He is “successful,” having held exhibitions in most Christchurch galleries, and his work sells, quite well. Successful does not mean self-supporting in Christchurch yet. What part did art school play in bringing this about? It is no surprise to hear an answer that fits into the pattern of preceding generations..ln 1979, the school was in new buildings; it bore as much resemblance to the school of the 1930 s as a transis’tor to a crystal set, but its effect on Bill Sutton and Peter Ransom was similar, if not the same. Peter says it was fundamental. He explains why. Whilst there he was free from the strictures against choosing to become an artist. “It is clear from the beginning that you are not going to equip yourself vocation-

ally. The big question was 'Are you going to continue,’ and the great advantage was that you had three years to make, up your mind.” ’ Art school plugged him into the art establishment. Through it he met artists, gallery directors, and dealers: he gained a perspective on that corner of society where artists could live. Now he is living the life.

Would he have taken the step without art school? “No, I don’t think I would have. You bave to be exceptional to survive without art school.”