Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) presents a solo exhibition of work by renowned fine artist Rob Ryan. Visitors are invited to enter Ryan’s whimsical world in YSP Centre to discover a collection of charming and intricate papercuts and prints spanning the last six years of the artist’s career, all of which are available to buy. Listen to the World runs at YSP, near Wakefield, from 4 July to 1 November 2015.
Listen to the World features new works including a series of previously unseen papercuts and screenprints created for and derived from Ryan’s 2016 Rizzoli wall calendar commission; along with a limited edition, multi-coloured lasercut, exclusive to YSP.
The exhibition also features significant works from Ryan’s repertoire, such as There Is Only Time, 2013, the central piece from the artist’s show of the same title at Sims Reed Gallery, London; and The Map Of My Entire Life, 2012, his largest papercut to date, created for Manchester Art Gallery’s touring exhibition, The First Cut. One of Ryan’s greatest known works to date, Can We? Shall We?, 2010, also features. This large screenprinted version was first shown on London’s Dover Street in Ryan’s solo show, The Stars Shine All Day Too.
Ryan, born in Cyprus, lives and works in London. He studied Fine Art at Trent Polytechnic and at the Royal College of Art in London where he specialised in Printmaking. Although Ryan views himself first and always as a fine artist, his intricate papercut work adapts itself readily to many other mediums including ceramics, textiles, homewares and even jewellery. His work often consists of original figures paired with sentimental, grave, honest and occasionally humorous pieces of writing which he admits are autobiographical.
Ryan has exhibited widely across the UK and internationally and has collaborated with Paul Smith, Liberty of London, Tatty Devine and Vogue, along with many other established brands. Ryan has written and illustrated numerous books including The Invisible Kingdom and The Kingdom Revealed, the first two of a trilogy of books. The final book in Ryan’s trilogy, The Invincible Kingdom, will be published by Random House in October 2015 and accompanied by a talk and book signing at YSP on 30 October.
Further special events accompanying the exhibition include an exclusive workshop on 31 October in which participants will have the rare opportunity to work with Rob Ryan and the Ryantown team to produce a limited edition zine to take home. Ryan will also give a talk about his career to date at YSP on 9 July.
A range of exclusive merchandise, designed by the artist, is available to buy from YSP Shop, including ceramics: a platter, mug and pair of plates; and textiles: a tote bag and tea towel.
In recent years, YSP has led successful exhibitions with some of the UK’s best-known artists and designers including Donna Wilson, Mark Hearld, Angie Lewin and Emily Sutton. YSP Shop showcases original work by international artists and contemporary designers and makers. The shop was awarded the title of Best Independent Retailer at the 2012 and 2013 Northern Designs Awards.