"He is an interesting and passionate man, choosing to stand outside of certain situations and eschewing certain conventions, determined to take his own road and not submit to fashion or the trappings of fame....his choice of subject/theme, the main area of concern in his art, which of course is strong in social commentary and political positioning, is very much reflective of his personality and character, not just an intellectual or academic position.
And this has not diminished I suspect - it is still the rage that leads him on and compels him to work.It also makes him a true representative of the era in which the political activism of youth emerged in full force. Many people became politicised at that time and although many have gone from red to pink as they aged, a few like Richard still have that fire burning strongly in them. Interesting that the current generations of youth are firing up with a similar intensity over climate issues and social injustice and these are inflecting art production once again.So a picture seems to be emerging of a man whose art is in fact inextricable from his character.."Seán Kelly,
Artist & Curator,
Hobart Tasmania