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Bryan Ryley
BLUE HAND

2004

$2,175
$2,90025% Off
£1,647.55
£2,196.7425% Off
€1,900.82
€2,534.4225% Off
CA$3,049.61
CA$4,066.1425% Off
A$3,399.50
A$4,532.6725% Off
CHF 1,789.28
CHF 2,385.7025% Off
MX$41,211.46
MX$54,948.6125% Off
NOK 22,780.86
NOK 30,374.4925% Off
SEK 21,180.69
SEK 28,240.9225% Off
DKK 14,187.30
DKK 18,916.4025% Off

About the Item

This powerful work on paper is a singular piece from the "Sum of Destructions" series by Bryan Ryley. This entire series of twelve works, along with a monumental painting of the same name, were part of the artist's solo exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery (2009-2010). Each piece stands as a powerful, museum-exhibited statement on conflict and an exceptional example of contemporary artistic dialogue. The series' genesis is rooted in a profound art historical context. Ryley began by scanning a preparatory sketch by Pablo Picasso for his 1937 anti-war masterpiece, Guernica—specifically, the iconic image of a hand grasping a broken sword. This digital matrix became the foundational layer for each work, a ghost of Picasso’s defiance embedded within Ryley’s own meditation on modern conflict, created as his personal response to the then-ongoing Iraq War. Over this print, he layered a dynamic and visceral response using a rich combination of acrylic, ink, gouache, graphite, and collage. The active, searching lines that traverse the page are a direct nod to the philosophy of Bauhaus master Paul Klee, who viewed the line as an independent, expressive force—"a dot that went for a walk." This series is a potent example of Bryan Ryley’s broader practice. A significant figure in contemporary Canadian abstraction, Ryley operates from his studio in Vernon, British Columbia, with a practice characterized by an intellectually rigorous engagement across painting, drawing, and collage. His work reveals a profound investigation into the architectural underpinnings of visual experience through meticulous layering and a sophisticated understanding of color. While informed by the historical weight of classical modernism—with nods to Cubist collage and Surrealist-inspired abstraction—Ryley’s vision remains distinctly his own. Educated at the University of Victoria (BFA Honors), the Whitney Museum Graduate program, and Pratt Institute (MFA Honors), Ryley's contributions have garnered significant critical recognition. His work is held in numerous prominent institutional and corporate collections across North America, including the Government of Canada, the Canada Council Art Bank, the Canadian Consulate in Paris, the British Columbia Art Collection, Pratt Institute, the Racine Art Museum, Canadian Pacific, and SunLife Financial, attesting to the enduring importance of his practice. Materials and Dimensions: Acrylic, ink, gouache, graphite, collage, and digital print on 140 lb BFK Rives Rag Paper. Paper Size: 22 x 30 inches (55.88 x 76.2 cm) Image Size: 13 x 24 inches (33.02 x 60.96 cm) Condition: Excellent. Condition is consistent with age and the artist's intended execution. The work is unframed. Signature: Signed and dated by the artist. Provenance: From the artist's studio. This work was exhibited in "Bryan Ryley: Sum of Destructions" at the Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC (Nov 7, 2009 - Jan 10, 2010).
  • Creator:
    Bryan Ryley (1952, Canadian)
  • Creation Year:
    2004
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Vancouver, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2787216549112

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