ABOUT
Giselle Louise Ryan
Born in Melbourne, Australia
Lives & works in UK
Foreword By Beth Prior
Giselle's painting work is epic in its display of colour. The closest comparison would be psychedelic imagery seen when tripping, but with incredible depth. It has a way of stitching itself to emotion. It's easy to feel a deep connection to her work, and every painting, every single one has really strong femininity; a sapio sexual sapphic edge. Some in a really obvious way, some not. They all have their own axis on which they turn. You absolutely have to see them with your own eyes; her work online will give you an idea, but then you see them in real life and BOOSH!
So often when I witness art, I see art. I find myself being highly cerebral about it but one thing that's absolutely for sure with Giselle's work, is it's not my head that comes into play with it, it's something more ethereal and it hits in a very different place.
It's very difficult to put labels on Giselle both as a person and as an artist. Within her work there is a mystery, it leaves the viewer wanting to see more; see more deeply and feel more deeply.
Giselle and the rest of humanity ask questions. And when one of her paintings meets the eye, it becomes the answer. Not in words, but in knowing.
She undertakes commissions, these can be in the form of portraits of people or places, public spaces and offices.
Background
A long history of art practice follows Giselle. Experienced in many mediums, she earned a Bachelor of Education in Visual Arts at Melbourne University (First Class Honours). She was subsequently approached by the University to be their artist in residence and sculpture and ceramics teacher.
After graduating, she exhibited in the sculptural and textile medium. Upon moving to Britain in 2000, and with the loss of her ceramic studio, her three dimensional work turned 2D and abstract photography became her main creative outlet. Her search to capture the soul and essence of things she could see in her mind's eye had begun.
In 2009 her younger sister tragically lost her life at just thirty years of age. After a prolific few months of creating work surrounding her death, Giselle stopped all artwork entirely. Over four years passed and her first visit to Australia after the funeral prompted a discovery of a new medium – resin, and a renewed enthusiasm to share her vision.
CV
Education
2000 - City and Guilds web design
1994 - 1998 Melbourne University
Bachelor of Education, Visual Arts, First class honours
Grants & Awards
2016 - DIVA art awards runner up
2015 - DIVA art awards featured artist
2015 - Lfest Artist of the year nominee
2002 - Princes Trust business.
2002 - Princes Trust grant.
2001 - Best new London Designer, Lycos and LWT.
Exhibitions & Showcase
2017 - #SameButDifferent, The Hive, Solo exhibition
2017 - Loudest Whispers, The Arts Project, Camden, London
2015 - The Hive "Little Acts of Kindness". solo exhibition
2015 - CSons, Shrewsbury Showcase
2015 - YCG "Landscape / Seascape, Yssbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan
2014 - Natural Harmony Centre, Llanerfyl
2014 - Ty Siamas, Dolgellau, Celf Aran Arts
2009-2014 - Hiatus
2009 - A book about Death, Moma Gallery, Mid Wales
2004 - 2003 - Visual Poetry, Stoke Newington Festival
2003 - Mixed Media exhibition, Stoke Newington, London Library.
1999 - History of the Devil, St Martin's Youth Arts Centre, South Yarra, Melbourne
1999 - Form and flow, sculpture, Brunswick Street gallery, Fitzroy, Melbourne
1998 - Graduation group show
1997 - Manon Lescaut, Opera Australia, Victorian Arts Centre Trust
1997 - Forfeits, Russell Theatre, King Street, Melbourne
Training / Teaching
2015 - Mid Wales Art, Sculpture and found objects
2004-2013 - Digital photography / image manipulation freelance, including Medrwn
2005 - Coleg Powys, Digital Photography
1998-2000 - Melbourne University, Sculpture and ceramics
Related stuff
2002 - Princes Trust guest speaker, Speaking with Intent, House of Commons.
1998-2000 - Melbourne University Artist in Residence, sculpture and ceramics