Rob Ryan's Ryantown
ARTS THREAD loves Ryantown at Pick Me Up. Rob Ryan has re-created his studio at Somerset House, London for the duration of the graphic art fair. Catch it while you can – to view his beautiful, fragile work as well as getting an insight into the atmosphere of his workroom, normally based in London’s East End.
Rob himself can be found sketching at a large table, while assistants nearby painstakingly cut delicate lace-like patterns from his hand drawn templates. Rob Ryan’s work is well known to many, through his many commissions for book and magazine covers, invitations, textile design in collaboration with the likes of Paul Smith, cushion covers, mugs and a rug design for The Rug Company.
Rob Ryan at work; Rob Ryan's Ryantown
His work reflects a yearning for the nostalgia of world of innocence that may never have existed in reality, but we wish that it had. Although he works mostly in monochrome, it conjures up visions of countryside and cornfields swaying in a gentle breeze, with birds flying high above and lovers and friends meeting under a bright blue sky. However, the naive sweetness of many of the sentiments in his pieces is also often tempered with an underlying, endearing melancholy.
Rob Ryan’s Ryantown; Paper cutters at work
Romantic sentiment and intricate workmanship are a sure-fire winning combination, with stacks of international, commercial appeal. This was definitely one of the busiest areas of the exhibition, with visitors encouraged to pause and scan the walls, which were covered with examples of Rob’s work and inspirations and notes from friends and clients.
For more of Rob, check out his East London shop at 126 Columbia Road, E2 7RG.
We expect Rob Ryan’s burgeoning empire to now spread faster than ever…
Pick Me Up runs from April 23 to May 03 at Somerset House, London.
Rob Ryan
