New Works at Olsen Irwin WOP Gallery : Sell Out Show

I am thrilled to see my current solo exhibition, New Works, at Olsen Irwin Works on Paper Gallery, Sydney from August 11th - 25th has received a great response. The exhibition SOLD OUT in the first few days! Thank you to Edward Hoddle, Manager of the Works on Paper Gallery, 74 Queen St Woollahra for all his support and enthusiasm. The exhibition is open daily.Olsen Irwin Gallery 

There are several works in the same series that are currently part of my Survey Show, A Quiet Place at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, July 19 - November 22, which have also been sold, with one last South West Coast series charcoal still available from the survey show, through Olsen Irwin Gallery. Available Works

This is my first solo exhibition since returning to Australia after living fulltime in the UAE. On returning I was struck by the drama of my local coast line, the dramatic light and energy of natures forces. I developed a series in charcoal of the South West Coast, specifically the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road.

The twilight setting of local Pines was another of the scenes that resonated for me on returning. After years of urban and desert scenes, I was hungry for my nature fixes!

Having been based in the UAE the past few years, I am now dividing my time between Warrnambool in South West Victoria and Dubai. I have returned to the landscape that has always inspired me, the vast farming area of the Western District, with paddocks punctuated by cypress trees and hedges, acting as windbreaks, some now ravaged by time and the elements. The skies are large, clouds ever changing, the weather in constant flux and movement. I am overwhelmed by the fresh air after my years in the UAE and I am embracing the re connection with walking in the landscape, noticing all the details and being immersed in the changing weather, seasons, and landscape.

The rugged coast line of the Great Ocean Road is nearby. The drama of wild surf, iconic cliffs standing testament to the elements, and the dramatic shifting light is inspiring this new series of works. On returning , I was struck by the dramatic silhouettes of pines at twilight , the difference in the quality of light, more dramatic with the changes in weather. The cliffs of the south west coast, their shapes dramatically outlined against the shifting seas... I was inspired to depict these cliffs as silhouette shapes,  informed by my recent UAE art work with Arabic calligraphy and lanterns and to highlight their sensuous yet solid structure against the fluidity of the changing seas.

Returning to Australia in January 2015, I feel I have fresh eyes to see and appreciate everything anew. My viewpoint and focus have been influenced by my years in the UAE to notice all the detail, the way the light falls, the shape and form of nature’s details as well as taking in the overall effect of a vast landscape. Dividing my time between Australia & the UAE is full of contrasts, and perhaps will heighten my attention to detail and viewpoint.

Birregurra Pines, oil on paper 71 x51 cm 2015

Coastal Cypress, oil on paper 71 x51 cm 2015

South West Coast #5 charcoal on paper 71 x51 cm 2015

South West Coast #7 charcoal on paper 71 x51 cm 2015

20 year Survey Exhibition, Kathryn Ryan : A Quiet Place, Paintings & Drawings 1995 - 2015

A long time in the planning..... my survey show is set to open next weekend... 

A Quiet Place: Paintings & Drawings 1995 - 2015  

Warrnambool Art Gallery 

Opening Night , Saturday July 18th 6pm-7.30pm

Exhibition : July 19 - November 22nd 2015

Warrnambool Art Gallery 26 Liebig St Warrnambool VIC

Catalogue Available ( illustrated) with Essay by Phe Luxford & myself.

 $24.95 AUD + P&H , Order at WAG E: gallery@warrnambool.vic.gov.au   PH +61 3 5559 49 49

Exhibition curated by Murray Bowes & Gareth Colliton  

A select few works will be available for purchase.

 

  From the South West to the Middle East & back again....
A Quiet Place is my survey show covering the journey of my art practice over the last 20 years, showcasing a selection of oil paintings and charcoal drawings, loaned from public and private collections. The exhibition will showcase works from my western district series, my studio years in  Melbourne, to the UK and years spent living in the UAE with a recent return to Australia, now dividing my time between Warrnambool & Dubai.

Kathryn Ryan , Farm Hedges in Winter, oil on linen 137 x183cm 2011 Private Collection

The journey began growing up on a farm in Panmure, studying Fine Art in Warrnambool & Melbourne, 25 plus years of studio practice with ongoing solo exhibitions at Flinders Lane Gallery Melbourne & Olsen Irwin Gallery Sydney. During this time I was finalist in numerous National Art Prizes, with sell out exhibitions, and  works in public & private collections including Parliament House Collection...In  more recent years I have been living in Dubai and am now dividing my time between Warrnambool & Dubai.  This survey show at WAG is well timed with my return to Warrnambool and relevant as the south west has provided the inspiration for the majority of my work.

Kathryn Ryan, Winter Light, oil on canvas 137 x183cm 2008 Private Collection

  My art practice has been heavily influenced by my years growing up in South West Victoria, and the surrounding landscape has provided much of the inspiration for my oil paintings and charcoal drawings.
The quality of light, mood, space, atmosphere , what moves me... has informed many of these works which explore the contrast of opposites of the fragile & strong, the vast & detail, what lasts, what endures, a longing for , memory based, a reflective and calm quiet place to retreat... 

Kathryn Ryan ,Morning Cypress, charcoal on paper, 51 x71 cm 1999 Collection of Artist

The exhibition will cover  my studio practice from 1995- 2015 working in oil paint and charcoal.The oil paintings are worked up in many layers of paint and glazing over several months to build depth, balance and harmony with a resulting almost photographic surface. Similarly the charcoals are built up in layers of mark making and rubbing away, slowly building, slowly revealing to arrive at a balance of both contrast and subtle harmony... revealing the strong and delicate nature of the images. 

Kathryn Ryan, South West Coast #9, charcoal on paper 51 x71 cm 2015 Collection of Artist

 From windswept cypress hedges punctuating the vast farming areas , to  the fall of light at the end of the day , the landscape emerging through fog, to more recent explorations of shadow & light from my time based in the UAE and my return back to the South West of Victoria to explore again this landscape with fresh eyes.

Further reading : 

The latest edition of Bluestone Magazine features a story on my current studio practice and upcoming survey exhibition, you can read it here : Bluestone Magazine 

Capsule Arts Dubai, who represent my work in the UAE have also featured a story on my art practice and upcoming survey show in their Blog :  Where Is my Shark by Capsule Arts

For Limited Edition Prints of my work Capsule Arts : Kathryn Ryan Prints

Kathryn Ryan, Al Shajarah /Tree, charcoal on paper 51 x71 cm 2013 Collection of Artist

Kathryn Ryan , Road to Whitlands, oil on canvas, 137 x183cm 2002 Private Collection

Kathryn Ryan , View from Kingshouse, oil on linen 137 x183cm 2010 Private Collection

Daily Imprint Artist Interview

Daily Imprint : Kathryn Ryan Interview May 22, 2015

I was recently featured on the Daily Imprint creative living blog. Please see the above link for the full interview.

Blue Silhouette, oil on linen 137 x183cm 2012

Winter Light, South West, oil on linen 137 x183cm 2012

The Winter Paddock, oil on linen 137 x183cm 2011

in my Dubai studio

Returning to Australia

Well, its been a busy few months since I last posted here !

In December 2014, I relocated back to Australia and I have set up my new studio in coastal south west Victoria , in Warrnambool. Currently based here, I am still dividing my time between the UAE and Australia. It's great to be back amongst the trees, coast & fresh air!

Botanic Gardens, Warrnambool

I have hit the ground running setting up my new studio and beginning a new series of works responding to the local landscape and coastal area.  I am currently working on a series of charcoal drawings of the rugged Great Ocean Road, in particular the Twelve Apostles area. I am also working on a series of oil on paper of nocturne silhouette pines, and paintings inspired by the surrounding landscape.

Preparing new works

In August I will be exhibiting this new series of oil on paper and charcoals at Olsen Irwin, Works on Paper Gallery, Sydney : Aug 14th - Sept 3rd 2015 Olsen Irwin Gallery

Charcoals and oil on paper to be exhibited in Sydney on August : Olsen Irwin Works on Paper Gallery

Having barely set up studio, I was involved in the F Project Open Studio Trail held in Warrnambool  on January 24th.. This was a great opportunity to open up my studio as well as  Cypress Studio ( prints of my work) and to meet so many lovely people who visited on the day ...There were approx 14 open studios on the trail which was a very popular day out and sneak peek behind the scenes of lots of artists studios.

In my new Warrnambool studio, & Cypress Studio, photographed by Jack Wilkins for his upcoming Artland exhibition at WAG

The Biblio Art Competition is coming up in Port Fairy at Blarney Books & Art... the idea is to collect a book from their 'wheel barrow' of old books and to make an artwork responding  to / using the book... My Book is titled " My Love Must Wait" by Ernestine Hill..... More info : Blarney Books

I was invited by Vision Australia Radio, Victoria Dunn for a discussion on my art practice, the journey over the past 30 years, life in the UAE and returning to Australia , which aired 13/3/15 on 94.5 fm.... ( I will have a disc copy of this interview which I may post at a later date... once I know how to !)

Warrnambool is currently a hive for a thriving art communtity... we are privileged to have the services of Bluestone Magazine to keep us all informed and up to date on the many talented and unique individuals in our area. Carol Altmann & Louise North have invigorated the local community and are helping energize and establish a growing arts community. Get on board and subscribe to help keep this vital service alive and thriving ! Website: Blluestone Magazine
You can also follow them on facebook : Facebook : Bluestone Magazine
You can read their story on my return here :
Kathryn Ryan Returns to her artistic roots
 

In my new Warrnambool studio, photographed by Jack Wilkins for his upcoming Artland exhibition at WAG

The Warrnambool Art Gallery will be holding a Survey Show of my work from the past 20 yrs beginning in July 2015. I am currently preparing this exhibition with curator Murray Bowes, sifting through a selection of 300+ works, to make a shortlist of approx 40 works to be displayed. The majority of these works were sold at the time of their solo exhibitions , so we are very grateful to be able to loan them from their new owners. The exhibition which Opens on July 18th will run through until November 22nd 2015.
Warrnambool Art Gallery

That's a good start for my first 3 months! Lots to do in the studio .....

sifting through images for my Survey Show at WAG July 18th - Sept 3rd, 2015