Creative Talk: Ronnie Deelan

This event is part of our Creative Talks series that feature practitioners/makers/artists who work in a variety of disciplines, media and forms across the creative arts, including: the visual arts, design, performance, craft-work, creative writing and more. The series aims to address questions about the nature of ‘creativity’ and ‘practice as research’, featuring speakers who will share their work, the processes they use, their influences, and their own experiences of professional practice. Sessions will reflect the disciplinary range of speakers and may feature presentations, performances, workshops etc. The aim is to create an open, multi-disciplinary space in which to introduce audiences (students and the public alike) to a wide range of creative practices that inspire new ideas about how to make new work.

For this Creative Talk we welcome Ronnie Deelan for an audiovisual deep dive into his creative brain. With a practice that spans every possible creative direction, this event brings the audience inside his mind for a brief moment. During this event, we see how it’s possible to be so distracted yet still focused.

Ronnie’s artistic practice revolves around the exploration of synthesis, with a particular emphasis on crafting imaginative soundscapes. In his animation work, he delves into the relationship between audio and visual elements, experimenting with speculative design and soundscapes.

Additionally, his recent drawing projects have focused on the realm of speculative biology, drawing connections between this field and historical scientific explorations.

His biggest recent achievement is a sound art sculpture presented in China, consisting of a horn measuring 10 meters in length and 3 meters in height at its tallest point, symbolizing change and connection. Listening through the horn offers a fresh perspective, revealing the beauty of everyday sounds. Additionally, it serves as a communication tool, extending the reach of human voices and enriching the park's sonic landscape.

Alongside his artistic pursuits, Ronnie is also the founder of “White Noise” at the Royal College of Art. Starting out as a monthly event, it transformed into an independent nomadic event and record label that provides a platform open to anyone to showcase and experience sound experiments.

Ronnie is also a passionate educator with over 9 years of experience in higher education. His interest in education was born from a love for DIY synth electronics, the difficulties faced with self-learning, and the drive to share his knowledge.

Chair: Dr Andrew Prior, Associate Professor Digital Art & Technology, University of Plymouth

Image credit: Agata Rawecka Deelen

Host or Publisher The Arts Institute