Ramirez’ labour in the arts is about facilitating spaces beyond identity conventions, careerism and stylistic expectations. He believes in encouraging unconventional ideas, increasing participation, amplifying unheard voices, and platforming new artists.
He is the former Director of Seventh Gallery, an artist led organisation with a collective mindset that became notable during his tenure (2018-2023) by bringing together artists, curators, arts professionals and writers who were actively shaping culture at the time.
Since taking over the space in late 2018, and in strong collaboration with the Board (special thanks to Thea Jones), Seventh underwent a crucial period of transformation and rapid growth. Moving from a forgotten grassroots space, to a key small arts organisation capable of employing 3 staff to run multiple funded programs, including 2 fully subsidised studios, mentorships, public programs and workshops.
From 2020-2021, he directed the complex relocation of the space to 213-215 Church St, Richmond by securing a partnership with local government, in the backdrop of a world crisis.
He is the Editor in Residence for un Magazine’s Extended platform in 2023. This builids upon his work as the Editor-at-large at Running Dog in 2020, an arts journal based in Sydney, where he commisioned pieces by exciting writers, such as Zarah Butcher McGunningle and Andrew Sutherland. In 2022, he comissioned a special project by Ari Tampubolon.
He is a member of Darebin Arts & Heritage Advisory Panel, External Assessor for City of Melbourne Arts Grants Panel, Peer Assessor for Australia Council, Board member of Performance Review, and a mentor for SIGNAL Screen x Sound Commission 2021. In 2022, he sat for Creative Victoria’s Creators Fund Peer assessment.
In 2018, he curated the exhibition Family Grimoires: The Diaspora Fantastic at SEVENTH Gallery. The same year, he was admin assistant to the workshop Neutron Star delivered by Guillermo Gomez Peña and his ‘troupe’ La Pocha Nostra, curated by Bon Mott. In 2022, he co-curated the screening the Discomfort of Everything with Taylor Mitchell for Dogmilk Films.
