Foreword
Long before he found fame in one of the biggest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time, Ronnie Wood was an artist. His natural gift for colour, along with an effortless transition between styles, is showcased in the The Classic Collection. After a period of more than a year acquiring rare and previously sold out artwork from Ronnie’s past portfolio and private collections, this desirable selection - expertly curated by Washington Green - illustrates the visual artist’s creative prowess. Lifelong influences from maestros such as Eugène Delacroix, Francisco Goya and El Greco are masterfully synchronised for a performance that is as electrifying as his music. For Ronnie, who counts Damien Hirst amongst his confidants, art is a conduit for musical experience. The self-described “noise” his art evokes can be felt in each confident sweep of colour and fearless segue through artistic genres. Akin to his legendary slide guitar technique, Ronnie jumps from one medium to the next without ever missing a beat. Originally created in watercolour paints, acrylics, pencil and pastel, these rare and sought-after editions capture Ronnie’s unique perspective. His eclectic inspirations – including musicians like Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye,
Bob Marley and Duke Ellington – are depicted with an energy so vivid that the works become not just a visual experience, but an auditory performance. Self-perception is accompanied by intimate renderings of his Rolling Stones bandmates, whose transformation through black-and-white sketches and vibrant portraits reveals the unique facets of their on-stage personas. Ronnie is equally candid in his choice of subject matter; several of the artworks are taken from his 1995 Endangered Species Suite, reflecting a cause he has campaigned for in his private life. To celebrate the beauty of these hand-signed, limited edition prints, only the finest materials have been selected, with a bespoke framing and mount presentation carefully chosen to highlight the high-grade paper stock. A truly collectible body of work, The Classic Collection is a breathtaking journey not only through rock ‘n’ roll history, but Ronnie’s evolution as an artist. It is a striking homage to the extraordinary talent and self-discovery of the artist, who once stated: “There is no kind of therapy like the one you have from starting a picture and then seeing it through to the end.”
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