37 x 45
Original Artwork
Oil on Paper; mounted and framed
Joan Ryan, is a Boston based artist whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She has received grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Puffin Foundation, George Sugarman Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and Berkshire Taconic Foundation. In 2011 she was awarded the Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant from the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. In 2018 she received the “best in show” prize at the Mattatuck Museum CT and was awarded a solo exhibition. As an Artist in Residence at DADA Post, Berlin Germany she exhibited large scale drawings. The work from this residency was also exhibited at the Schulte Gallery, Berlin Germany. Ryan received a full scholarship to the Art Student league of New York residency in Sparkill NY. Most recently she was a visiting resident artist at MASS MOCA in North Adams Massachusetts.
While teaching as a Full Professor at Lesly University College of Art and Design Ryan has maintains an active exhibition record and is a member of AIR Gallery in Brooklyn NY. She has attended residencies in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Ballyvaughan, Ireland; Mass MOCA in North Adams, Massachusetts; Vytlacil, New York; and Berlin, Germany.
As a visual artist Ryan uses painting and drawing as a critical language to explore contemporary society, politics and concepts of identity in our modern world. Most recently works focuses on the interpretation and revision of gendered influences from popular culture. Her work combines historical imagery, cartoons, childhood fairy tales and political iconography with images of everyday life. These works confronts the viewer at an intersection with a broad range of cultural moments. This intersection of imagery creates a dynamic interplay and odd juxtaposition with past and present.