Getting Post Modern with Ryan Henry Ward: Part 1 of a multipart Interview

 By xavier_lopez_jr

First part of my Interview with Ryan Henry Ward.

As part of my continuing program, I will attempt to get many, most or all of the artists that I interview to answer a second set of questions that I have modified from several of the various Proust questionnaires that I have seen out and about. Perhaps a bit of background would be helpful here; as some of you already know, history has left us with a record of two times in which French novelist, critic and essayist, Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust was asked two very similar sets of personality questions, once when he was still a wee lad and later in his twenties. These questions were part of a popular French game at the time and have only now come to be called the Proust Questionnaire/s–because of the famous author’s questions, which if you ever get a chance are worth taking a gander at.

Ryan Henry Ward! Making art an issue for the masses!

I recently sent my version of the questionnaire to infamous, local muralist Ryan Henry Ward, known to most as just “Henry” (due to his signatures, which often adorn his grandiose, grandiloquent, murals). For the sake of transparency, let me add here, that Ryan and I go back several years–we both met at the illustrious Orange Splot Gallery in Fremont, run by photographer and director of the Silence for Non-Violence movement–Kevin McKouen, and we became fast friends. When I got involved with the Sterling Images Gallery–I made sure to get Ryan on board and our work continues to be very closely linked. In fact, the truth is that many of the artists, performers, raconteurs, flâneurs and galleries that I intend to interview, review etc., will be chock full of friends of mine–though I will always endeavor to be as detached and critical as possible–you be the judge as to whether I always succeed.

Now, back to the interview. Along with the questions, I sent to Henry, I gave him the instructions that he could do and say whatever he wanted to, answer any or none of the questions as he pleased and to try to have fun. Did he have a good time with the questions? I’ll leave that you to decipher!

Proust: What is the principle aspect of your personality, virtuous or not?

Henry: The principle aspect of my personality is humor. For some reason my mind twists whatever reality presents to me and somehow makes it comical. I’m one of those people who ends up wanting to break out laughing at funerals.

Proust: Where would you like to live, where do you think you would be happiest?

Henry: I’d most like to live on Lummi Island on beach front property with a boat that I could commute once a month to Seattle in.

Proust: Which historical figure is your favorite or one who you most identify with?

Henry: I think my favorite historical character is a toss up between John Muir and Genghis Khan

Proust: Which living person do you most admire?

Henry: The living person I admire the most: would be Paris Hilton if she looked like a Kardashian from the back side.

Proust: What is the trait you most dislike in others?

Henry: The trait I dislike most is the abuse of power. Especially related to those who are trusted by the people to look out for their benefit, and who then do things for their own gain regardless of the devastation it might incur toward others. Prime examples of this would be C.E.O.’S making corporate decisions that cause suffering to the poor and to the environment or politicians who go to war over resources that their family network is invested in.

Proust: What is your greatest extravagance?

Henry: My greatest extravagance has always been the free time that I’ve made for myself.

Proust: When do you lie?

Henry: I always lie to a certain extent. A better question would be, when am I honest? That would have to be when all my needs have been met.

Two Artists

Proust: What do you dislike most about your appearance?

Henry: My appearance isn’t something I think about very often. I almost never see myself, and when I do, I mostly see my image as humorous.

Proust: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Henry: I would change the fact that I’m in chronic pain all the time. It gets really annoying.

Proust: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Henry: My greatest achievement, hmmm, I think my greatest artistic achievement might be the backdrop work I did for mecinos symphony at Benaroya Hall last November. I engineered a flying machine that was amazing.

Proust: What is your most treasured possession?

Henry: My most treasured possession would be an independent truck shirt of my deceased older brother. Second to that is my bocce ball set.

Proust: How would you like to die?

Henry: I would like to die of an oxycontin overdose when I’m very, very old.

Proust: Who is/are your favorite artist/s?

Henry: Favorite artists: Quentin Blake, Ralph Steadman, Shel Silverstien, and Xavier Lopez. (Ryan has a very distinct sense of humor).

Proust: What is your favorite band or musician?

Henry: Neil Young is probably my favorite musician.

Proust: What do you most value in your friends?

Henry: My friends are everything to me, in fact, without friendship life would be pointless. Just to think of my friends fills my heart with joy. What I value most in them is their ability to help me gain perspective and challenge me to see the world through different sets of eyes. Without my friends I wouldn’t have laughter and laughter is the true joy of life.

Proust: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Henry: Perfect Happiness is an idea that I’m not sure how to approach. What brings me the most happiness is painting. I’m always about two notches below total bliss though. Receiving love from family and friends is always close to perfection too.

Proust: What is your greatest fear?

Henry: My greatest fear is f—ing my life up. I guess also the idea of losing my mind and living my last days in an institution is a big fear for me.

Next Week the real questions begin!

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Getting Post Modern with Ryan Henry Ward: Part 1 of a multipart Interview

By xavier_lopez_jr on April 9, 2010 at 12:11 AM