OVERVIEW: Don Ramette was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and emigrated to Australia in 1970. His paintings in varying degrees combine wit, eroticism, menace and acknowledge a debt to Surrealism. In a new departure the style reflects the Moderne looks of the 1930’s and the majority of the works contain figures, buildings or objects from the 1920’s and 30’s.The paintings consequently possess a sense of the elegant and familiar while the choice and juxtaposition of objects and figures renders them somewhat uncomfortable. It is this discomfort that lies at the heart of Don’s work. The question “What is going on here?” can never be answered, certainly not in words, but it forces an ongoing dialogue with the viewer which drives him even deeper into the emotion of each painting. Don like Surrealism itself works within the Romantic tradition.