Literature, music, social issues, and the African American experience of living in North America are the sources that shape the art practice of the artist known as ransome. In the making of abstract and figurative images he uses materials that are imbued with social, ancestral, economic, and historical language that precedes their artistic application. His colors, patterns, marks, and manipulation of space often recall the quilts created by the woman of Gee’s Bend, who are a major influence. While spontaneity is a large part of his making, there is also space for thoughtful observation in the ways in which acrylic paints, combined with an array of found, made, and purchased papers are arranged together to speak of the struggles and hope, pain and joy, and the soul of black folks in community.
Ransome was born and raised in an all-Black neighborhood in the small town of Rich Square, North Carolina called “The Hill.” Those early years were infused with music—soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and blues flowed from neighbors’ homes, churches, and the cars driving down the Hill’s dirt road.
As a teenager he moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey. Here the sampled sounds of rap music, with its remixing and recomposing beats became a compelling force in his practice. To paint and collage on the same surface, applying the similar spontaneity used by hip hop deejays and the resourcefulness of rural quilters, repurposing what is at hand, assembling, collaging, and creating became natural to his making. While made of the energy of contemporary culture, his work asks us to consider how the small and overlooked—or erased—details of culture and geography tell the stories and history of African Americans which is the history of all North Americas.
Ransome graduated from Pratt Institute and retired as a tenured professor from the School of Visual Performing Arts at Syracuse University to pursue a full-time studio art career. He received his MFA in Studio Arts from Lesley University.
Ransome has solo and group exhibitions at numerous museums across the country including The Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, NC, Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Maine, the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh, NC, the University of New Hampshire, the Katonah Museum of Art in New York, The Sigal Museum in Easton, PA, The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) Museum of Art in Winston-Salem, NC, and the Visual Art Center of New Jersey.
A 2022 recipient of the Pollock Krasner Grant. Other awards include the Hudson Valley Artist Purchase Award from the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art in New Paltz, New York. Two recent residencies, The Gibbes Museums which includes a solo exhibit in late 2023 and a residency for the 2023/24 season at The Studios of Key West.
With one of the tallest buildings – and most spectacular views – in town, the Hugh’s View rooftop terrace serves as The Studios’ creative space in the sky. The terrace sits four stories above street level and offers panoramic views of the island. The Kitwald Stage glows in the golden twilight of our sunset performances.
With original seating from its days as a Masonic temple, the Helmerich Theater has been updated to also include floor seating. As a black box theater, the set up is intimate but professional, and sets the stage for concerts and performances that leave guests feeling like they really got to know the performer.