Kathryn Ryan Australian Artist

Saturday, July 11, 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.

Monday, May 25, 2015

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

Friday, March 13, 2015

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

Friday, November 14, 2014

Cypress Studio by Kathryn Ryan

Introducing Cypress Studio by Kathryn.....

Cypress Studio is my new platform for small artworks and prints.

My studio practice has focused primarily on creating exhibitions & large scale works for galleries over the past 28 years or so...Now I am adding another component to my studio practice, developing Cypress Studio as a place for my small handmade artworks & limited edition prints inspired by nature and a search for beauty. From intricate details to vast views of the landscape...finding a place for art, nature, beauty & inspiration in your home. Lots more to come from Cypress Studio

Introducing my first collection of small signed prints now available unframed and mounted.

The Winter Paddock, Signed Print image 18x18cm on A4 heavy weight archival matt paper

Assorted B&W signed prints image 25x18cm & 18x18cm Mounted

Fence Line, signed print image 18x18cm

Assorted mounted signed prints

Lantern #7 & Lantern #1 signed A4 prints image 25x18cm

Assorted signed prints, on A4 paper


Assorted signed prints on A4 size paper

I am about to relocate from UAE back to Australia, so there will be more to come once my new studio is set up by the coast in Warrnambool, VIC

Check out the new website : Cypress Studio

Follow Cypress Studio on Facebook

Follow cypressstudio on Instagram

For inquiries : E : cypressstudio2@gmail.com

Monday, September 22, 2014

No White Walls Annual Show 2014

No White Walls Annual Show opens on September 25th, 2014 and will continue with a changing display until January 2nd 2015 . The exhibition is hosted by Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, with the Opening Reception sponsored by Royal Jet, 7pm - 9pm. All Welcome!

I am one of six artists exhibiting this year, alongside Julia Ibbini, Emily Gordon, Andrew Field, Yiannis Roussakis and Christine Allison. You may preview the exhibition on our website : No White Walls UAE

No White Walls is an artist led initiative based in Abu Dhabi, focused on developing exhibitions and visual arts projects around the Emirates. We aim to encourage direct contact with the artists and their audience, by providing a platform for engaging in the arts and adding to the cultural diversity within the UAE.

I will be exhibiting a new series of 7 oil paintings and 6 charcoal drawings under the theme of Nature, Light & Shadow.

installation of Dried Roses oil on linen

Nature, Light and Shadow

Finding beauty: the intricacy found in details of nature, the shadows cast from plants, the patterns of shadows from Arabic lanterns...

With intense observation of the dramatic play of light and fall of shadows, my oil paintings and charcoal drawings reveal the organic & sensual nature of plants, taking the detail out of its everyday existence and highlighting the qualities of light, mood & mystery.

My oil paintings are continually built up in meticulous layers of paint and glazes over many months to achieve a depth, balance and harmony in the work. The charcoal drawings are also continually layered and re worked, rubbed back, built over again until a final balance and dynamic is achieved.

detail Dried Roses oil on linen 80 x120cm

Dried Roses & Shadow no.1-2, oil on linen 120 x150cm

Bougainvillea & Shadow no.1-3 oil on linen

Having been based in the UAE since 2011, my work has shifted its focus from the Australian landscapes series I developed over 20 + years and I have found inspiration responding to my local UAE environment, in particular my attention has been drawn to the quality of light and shadows and intricate details of nature found in my local environment.

installation of charcoal drawings

installation of charcoal drawings, Dried Rose no. 3 & Lantern no.6

installation of charcoal drawings, dappled Leaves no. 1 & Frangipani no.1

installation of charcoal drawings Suspended Lantern no.5-6

Kathryn is a professional artist, based in the UAE since 2011 and has exhibited and practiced as a contemporary artist for over 25 years. She has been exhibiting with NWW since 2013 and also has prints available through Capsule Arts, Dubai. Kathryn continues to exhibit in Australia and is represented by Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne and Olsen Irwin Gallery, Sydney. Her work has been purchased by major public and corporate collections in Australia and private collections in Australia and internationally. She has been a finalist in numerous prestigious National Art Prizes for over 25years.

installation of Dried Roses & Shadow, oil on linen no1-2

installation of Bougainvillea & Shadow, oil on linen no 1-2

installation of Dried Roses no. 1-2, oil on linen


installation of Dried Roses & Shadow, with shadows! oil on linen

Friday, August 29, 2014

Upcoming Exhibitions : September 2014

September is a busy art month! Seasonally it is a busy month in the art world in Australia... and also in the UAE.. coming out of our hottest summer months!
I have new artworks in a number of exhibitions in Australia and the UAE: Tattersall's Landscape Prize, Brisbane; Flinders Lane gallery 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Melbourne ; No White Walls 2nd Annual Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Capsule Arts Print Collection 2, Dubai UAE

TATTERSALL"S CLUB LANDSCAPE ART PRIZE :
September 1-19, 2014 Brisbane, Australia
Invitation Prize: Opening Reception Wednesday September 3rd with the announcement of the $30,000 Acquisitive Prize . The exhibition will be on display in the Club from Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September. The exhibition will then move to the foyer of Waterfront Place, Brisbane from Monday 8 September to Friday 19 September 7am - 6pm
More info : Tattersall's Landscape Prize 2014

Frangipani #2, charcoal on paper 72 x52 cm framed 93 x73 cm 2014 $2,500 AUD


Frangipani #2, charcoal on paper 72 x52 cm framed 93 x73 cm 2014 $2,500 AUD

FLINDERS LANE GALLERY 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
September 16-October 4 2014 Flinders Lane Gallery
I have been represented by Flinders Lane Gallery since 2000 and I have held 7 highly successful solo shows there ( 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011,2013) as well as numerous group exhibitions over the past 14 years. Each of the gallery artists have been asked to exhibit a work which pays homage to Melbourne or reflects their experience of Melbourne in some way.

"Living in Dubai my thoughts and memories of Australia are quiet heightened ...

In choosing an image of Melbourne for this anniversary show , I recollected my strong visual memories of Melbourne, with Shrine Avenue Pines always a strong image .

For many years I rode my bike from Elwood across the city to my studio, often riding home late at night past The Shrine . The dramatic lighting , silhouetted pines , the night sky lit up by the city lights , contrasted with pockets of darkness from the gardens , and the illuminated shrine memorial was always a very moving image that had stayed with me ."

Kathryn Ryan

Shrine Avenue, oil on paper 72 x52 cm Framed 93 x73 cm 2014

NO WHITE WALLS : 2ND ANNUAL EXHIBITION

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, September 25th 2014- January 1st 2015

No White Walls is an artist led initiative based in Abu Dhabi, focused on developing exhibitions and visual arts projects in the UAE. I have been a member of NWW for the past 2 years and this year we will be exhibiting the works of Julia Ibbini, Emily Gordon, Andrew Field, Christine Allison, Yiannis Roussakis and Kathryn Ryan. We are all professional artists based in the UAE. Each artist will present a new series of works with new works added as pieces are sold...

The exhibition will be held at the stunning Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi with an Opening Reception sponsored by Royal Jet on Thursday September 25th 7-9pm. The exhibition will continue through to January 1, 2015 and is open daily 9am-9pm

We will be launching our new website with the exhibition : stay tuned for details!

For more info you can follow our Facebook page No White Walls UAE FB
and our Instagram : nowhitewallsuae

Dried Roses & Shadow #1 oil on linen 120x150cm 2014 AED 13,000

Dried Roses & Shadow #2 oil on linen 120x150cm 2014 AED 13,000

Dried Roses #1 oil on linen 80x100cm 2014 AED 6,000

Dried Roses #2 oil on linen 80 x100cm 2014 AED 6,000

Dried Rose & Shadow #3 charcoal on paper 54 x52 cm Framed 74 x72cm 2014 AED 3,800

Bougainvillea & Shadows #2 oil on linen 76x102cm 2014 AED 7,500

Frangipani #1 charcoal on paper 72 x52cm Framed 93 x73 cm 2014 AED 4,800

Bougainvillea & Shadows #1, oil on linen 76x102cm 2014 AED 7,500

CAPSULE ARTS PRINT COLLECTION 2

Capsule Arts Dubai will be launching their 2nd Limited Edition Print Collection on September 11th 2014. The Launch Night will be held at The Capsule Arts space in Al Quoz, Dubai.

I will be exhibiting two new Limited Edition Prints from my Dried Rose & Shadow series of charcoals. Four of my works from my Shadow & Light series are also part of their 1st Print collection and all prints are available to purchase from their website : Capsule Arts

Capsule Arts invites you to a special one-night exhibition to launch their new collection of limited edition art prints, in the presence of the artists.
The exhibition will feature furniture by The Urban Yogi and live music will be provided by Freshly Ground Sounds, more details to follow...
The event is supported by Lobo & Listone and Societe Perrier.

Warehouse A-2, Street 4, Al Quoz 3, Dubai, UAE
Location map at www.capsulearts.com

T +971 4 388 1799