Biography

Ryan French is a mancunian artist who uses art as a tool to explore the intersection of mythology and consciousness. Practising both digital media and traditional oil painting methods, he has cultivating a unique creative process that draws from the rich visual language of the Italian Renaissance, the dreamlike qualities of Surrealism, and the explorative spirit of psychogeography.

French’s practice combines digital with the physical. He draws inspiration from his surroundings, taking pictures and manipulating them. Here, the use of digital media becomes a modern form of automatism, echoing the motivations of the Surrealists to challenge current societal norms through subversive, symbolic imagery. The result of this becomes the basis for his oil paintings, allowing the physicality and nuance of paint to further transform the work. The end product becomes a portal to a world where imagination and reality coalesce, inviting viewers to engage with the mystery of existence and their inner landscapes.

French is first and foremost a storyteller. Weaving together layers of symbolism, mythology and idealist philosophy, he uses art as a medium to uncover and articulate the deeper truths embedded in our collective psyche. He aims not only to create visually striking artworks, but encourage viewers to explore, deeply, their own personal narratives and embrace the transformative and introspective nature of art.