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Biography

Born in 1956 in Plymouth, Montserrat and raised in England, Veronica Ryan OBE, RA creates meticulously handcrafted work using a wide range of materials, including bronze, plaster, marble, textile, and found objects. Her sculptures and installations examine environmental concerns, personal narratives and memories, as well as the wider psychological implications of history, trauma and recovery. 

Ryan has studied at St. Albans College of Art and Design, Bath Academy of Art in Corsham Court, The Slade School of Art at University College, London, and The School of Oriental and African Studies at London University. Over her forty-year career, she has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and residencies within the U.K., the U.S., and abroad. Her first one-person exhibition was at Arnolfini, Bristol in 1987. Other important one-person shows have been presented at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge (1988), Camden Arts Centre (1995), Aldrich Museum (1996), Salena Gallery, Brooklyn (2005), Tate St Ives (2000, 2005 and 2017), The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh (2011), and The Art House, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England (2017). In 2022, Ryan was included in the Whitney Biennial and awarded the Turner Prize, one the most prestigious prizes for visual arts in the United Kingdom. Her work is in many private and public collections such as the Tate Collection, the Brooklyn Museum, the Arts Council Collection, Contemporary Art Society, Sainsbury’s Collection, the Hepworth Wakefield, and the Weltkunst Collection at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. 

Ryan currently lives and works both in New York and in the U.K.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Veronica Ryan 
Untitled, 2020
coiled fabric strap, custard apple and soursop seeds, metal pin
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/8 in. (21.6 x 21.6 x 2.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Untitled, 2020
coiled fabric strap, custard apple and soursop seeds, metal pin
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/8 in. (21.6 x 21.6 x 2.9 cm)

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Veronica Ryan
Between A Rock and A Hard Place, 2022
metal, glass, paper plates, glue, hydrocal, fabric, thread, orange peel, embroidery ring, custard apple and soursop seeds, sculpey, batting, plastic net, plastic bottles and elastic band
123 1/4 x 42 x 28 1/2 in. (313.1 x 106.7 x 72.4 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Between A Rock and A Hard Place, 2022
metal, glass, paper plates, glue, hydrocal, fabric, thread, orange peel, embroidery ring, custard apple and soursop seeds, sculpey, batting, plastic net, plastic bottles and elastic band
123 1/4 x 42 x 28 1/2 in. (313.1 x 106.7 x 72.4 cm)

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Veronica Ryan
In Vacuo, 2000
photographic print, acrylic, ink and thread on card stock
11 x 16 3/4 in. (27.9 x 42.5 cm)
framed: 13 1/4 x 19 x 1 1/4 in. (33.7 x 48.3 x 3.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
In Vacuo, 2000
photographic print, acrylic, ink and thread on card stock
11 x 16 3/4 in. (27.9 x 42.5 cm)
framed: 13 1/4 x 19 x 1 1/4 in. (33.7 x 48.3 x 3.2 cm)

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Veronica Ryan
Infection XI, 2020
bronze, doily
5 7/8 x 15 x 8 5/8 in. (14.9 x 38.1 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XI, 2020
bronze, doily
5 7/8 x 15 x 8 5/8 in. (14.9 x 38.1 x 21.9 cm)

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Veronica Ryan
Infection XVI, 2020
plaster cast, cashew nuts, netting
15 x 5 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (38.1 x 14.9 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XVI, 2020
plaster cast, cashew nuts, netting
15 x 5 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (38.1 x 14.9 x 21.9 cm)

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Veronica Ryan 
Rescue, 2018
coral, bandage
6 1/2 x 12 x 6 in. (16.5 x 30.5 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Rescue, 2018
coral, bandage
6 1/2 x 12 x 6 in. (16.5 x 30.5 x 15.2 cm)

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Veronica Ryan, Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022
Veronica Ryan, Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022
Veronica Ryan, Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022

Veronica Ryan
Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022
fossilized coral, bandage, bronze, crocheted fishing line, sculpy, tea stained hydrocal, thread, Portuguese pink marble, hair net, pin cushion, pins, stainless steel hook and metal
dimensions variable
shelf: 3 x 48 x 12 in. (7.6 x 121.9 x 30.5 cm)

Veronica Ryan Pouch, 2020 red netting containing stitched dried orange peels, black thread 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. (14 x 20 x 16 cm) Photo: Max McClure. Courtesy Spike Island, Bristol.

Veronica Ryan
Pouch, 2020
red netting containing stitched dried orange peels, black thread
5 1/2 x 7 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. (14 x 20 x 16 cm)
Photo: Max McClure. Courtesy Spike Island, Bristol.

Veronica Ryan In Extremis, Obliterate, Oblivions, 1998 acrylic and ink print on paper 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 cm)

Veronica Ryan
In Extremis, Obliterate, Oblivions, 1998
acrylic and ink print on paper
8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 cm)

Veronica Ryan Slade, 1980 Kaffir-D plaster, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, seeds, thread, wood approx. 50 x 12 x 6 in. (127 x 30.4 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Slade, 1980
Kaffir-D plaster, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, seeds, thread, wood
approx. 50 x 12 x 6 in. (127 x 30.4 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan Liminal Spaces, Feathers In Her Head, Sewing Seeds 2, 2019 as installed in "Portable Sculpture," Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, U.K., February - August, 2021. Photo: John McKenzie.

Veronica Ryan
Liminal Spaces, Feathers In Her Head, Sewing Seeds 2, 2019
as installed in "Portable Sculpture," Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, U.K., February - August, 2021.
Photo: John McKenzie.

Veronica Ryan Arrangement In Layers, Stacking Up Moments I-X, 2016-2019 recycled avocado trays, seeds, dark blue and orange wool and cotton crochet, metal, dimensions variable Collection: Tate Modern

Veronica Ryan
Arrangement In Layers, Stacking Up Moments I-X, 2016-2019
recycled avocado trays, seeds, dark blue and orange wool and cotton crochet, metal, dimensions variable
Collection: Tate Modern

Veronica Ryan 
Untitled, 2020
coiled fabric strap, custard apple and soursop seeds, metal pin
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/8 in. (21.6 x 21.6 x 2.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Untitled, 2020
coiled fabric strap, custard apple and soursop seeds, metal pin
8 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/8 in. (21.6 x 21.6 x 2.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Between A Rock and A Hard Place, 2022
metal, glass, paper plates, glue, hydrocal, fabric, thread, orange peel, embroidery ring, custard apple and soursop seeds, sculpey, batting, plastic net, plastic bottles and elastic band
123 1/4 x 42 x 28 1/2 in. (313.1 x 106.7 x 72.4 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Between A Rock and A Hard Place, 2022
metal, glass, paper plates, glue, hydrocal, fabric, thread, orange peel, embroidery ring, custard apple and soursop seeds, sculpey, batting, plastic net, plastic bottles and elastic band
123 1/4 x 42 x 28 1/2 in. (313.1 x 106.7 x 72.4 cm)

Veronica Ryan
In Vacuo, 2000
photographic print, acrylic, ink and thread on card stock
11 x 16 3/4 in. (27.9 x 42.5 cm)
framed: 13 1/4 x 19 x 1 1/4 in. (33.7 x 48.3 x 3.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
In Vacuo, 2000
photographic print, acrylic, ink and thread on card stock
11 x 16 3/4 in. (27.9 x 42.5 cm)
framed: 13 1/4 x 19 x 1 1/4 in. (33.7 x 48.3 x 3.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XI, 2020
bronze, doily
5 7/8 x 15 x 8 5/8 in. (14.9 x 38.1 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XI, 2020
bronze, doily
5 7/8 x 15 x 8 5/8 in. (14.9 x 38.1 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XVI, 2020
plaster cast, cashew nuts, netting
15 x 5 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (38.1 x 14.9 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Infection XVI, 2020
plaster cast, cashew nuts, netting
15 x 5 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (38.1 x 14.9 x 21.9 cm)

Veronica Ryan 
Rescue, 2018
coral, bandage
6 1/2 x 12 x 6 in. (16.5 x 30.5 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Rescue, 2018
coral, bandage
6 1/2 x 12 x 6 in. (16.5 x 30.5 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan, Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022

Veronica Ryan
Entangle/Disentanglement, 2017-2022
fossilized coral, bandage, bronze, crocheted fishing line, sculpy, tea stained hydrocal, thread, Portuguese pink marble, hair net, pin cushion, pins, stainless steel hook and metal
dimensions variable
shelf: 3 x 48 x 12 in. (7.6 x 121.9 x 30.5 cm)

Veronica Ryan Pouch, 2020 red netting containing stitched dried orange peels, black thread 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. (14 x 20 x 16 cm) Photo: Max McClure. Courtesy Spike Island, Bristol.

Veronica Ryan
Pouch, 2020
red netting containing stitched dried orange peels, black thread
5 1/2 x 7 7/8 x 6 3/8 in. (14 x 20 x 16 cm)
Photo: Max McClure. Courtesy Spike Island, Bristol.

Veronica Ryan In Extremis, Obliterate, Oblivions, 1998 acrylic and ink print on paper 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 cm)

Veronica Ryan
In Extremis, Obliterate, Oblivions, 1998
acrylic and ink print on paper
8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 cm)

Veronica Ryan Slade, 1980 Kaffir-D plaster, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, seeds, thread, wood approx. 50 x 12 x 6 in. (127 x 30.4 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan
Slade, 1980
Kaffir-D plaster, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, seeds, thread, wood
approx. 50 x 12 x 6 in. (127 x 30.4 x 15.2 cm)

Veronica Ryan Liminal Spaces, Feathers In Her Head, Sewing Seeds 2, 2019 as installed in "Portable Sculpture," Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, U.K., February - August, 2021. Photo: John McKenzie.

Veronica Ryan
Liminal Spaces, Feathers In Her Head, Sewing Seeds 2, 2019
as installed in "Portable Sculpture," Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, U.K., February - August, 2021.
Photo: John McKenzie.

Veronica Ryan Arrangement In Layers, Stacking Up Moments I-X, 2016-2019 recycled avocado trays, seeds, dark blue and orange wool and cotton crochet, metal, dimensions variable Collection: Tate Modern

Veronica Ryan
Arrangement In Layers, Stacking Up Moments I-X, 2016-2019
recycled avocado trays, seeds, dark blue and orange wool and cotton crochet, metal, dimensions variable
Collection: Tate Modern

Video

Veronica Ryan discusses her major one-person exhibition Along a Spectrum at Spike Island, Bristol (May 19–September 5, 2021).