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New Jersey Kunst

Interview with Bony Ramirez

Bony Ramirez was born in a small town of Tenares, Dominican Republic, before moving to the United States as an early teen. He retains a connection to his Dominican heritage through his art and incorporates elements of the Caribbean with his distinctive figures and details. It was during his early education in the Dominican Republic that the artist was first exposed to local iconography, with the easily identifiable symbols and motifs still making appearances in his current work, acting as a common visual language across cultures. He uses an array of media including sculpture, mixed media paintings and digital work.
Bony Ramirez artist
The Red Rope, Mixed media on wood panel

You were born in Dominican Republic. When was the last time you were there? Do you still keep in touch with people from there?
I moved the the US in 2009, so technically is still a bit recent. I still have contact with my family there! When I left the country, Facebook and social media were not as big and not everyone had a phone, so I never kept in touch with any of my friends. I hope some of them still remember me ha ha! 

Bony Ramirez artist
Bony Ramirez

How do you decide on a theme?
A theme for me is born from an idea. You take a simple idea and expand it. For example, the theme for the body of work I’m currently working on is Caribbean culture. So I am looking at all the different aspects that make Caribbean culture unique from others. Usually, you have to pick a theme that you like and that you will enjoy, that’s how I choose one, things that I like to talk about! 

Usually, you have to pick a theme that you like and that you will enjoy, that’s how I choose one, things that I like to talk about! 

Bony Ramirez artist
“El Dolor Lo Llevó Dentro/ The Pain I Carry Inside” (2020) acrylic, colored pencil, oil pastel, dry media paper,
incrusted diamond cristals, illustration board

How do you find the titles for your pieces?
Most of the titles for my pieces are in Spanish, my first language. I have started entitling my pieces in Spanish and then with a „slash“ to the English translation. A lot of times people translate Spanish the wrong way, especially Dominican slang, so I don’t want the message to be lost in translation. That is why I make those translations myself as part of the title. 

What are the sources you use to make your images?
The main sources of inspiration are definitely my home country, the Dominican Republic. I look a lot into the tropical landscape of the country and our people. I also look a lot into interior design, mainly French and English 19th Century castles. 

I also look a lot into interior design, mainly French and English 19th Century castles. 

What’s the situation now in Perth Amboy? 
With regards to Covid-19 Perth Amboy was struck really bad at first. However, the town is quickly recuperating as bigger measures to social distance and protection are being made! 

What are your plans for 2020?
For the rest of 2020,
I’m focusing on a new body of work that I can’t wait to share with the world! I am very happy with the work I have been making lately, I’ve grown a lot as an artist this year, both in the personal and professional way.

Bony Ramirez