Ross Watson: ‘The rocket’s bright colours speak of childhood innocence, often the first victim of war’

Art: What Lies Beneath

'Blast Off!' by Ross Watson is featured at this year's RHA Annual Exhibition

Niall MacMonagle

Ross Watson, growing up in Bangor, Co Down, remembers being told “my dad was very good at drawing. Without reference and on the spot, he drew a race car for me. It was like a magic trick, I was very impressed. I wanted to do that too.”

And yet, interested only in television, gaming and becoming increasingly nocturnal, Watson’s teenage years “could best be described as apathetic”. But towards the end of his secondary schooling, the stress-free art room “gave me sanctuary. I started taking art seriously,” he says.