Biography

Ryan Peter French is a Manchester-born artist whose practice integrates classical oil painting with new media to explore how traditional and contemporary artistic methods can coexist and inform one another. A first-class graduate of Fine Art from Manchester School of Art, French has cultivated a unique creative process, drawing inspiration from the rich visual language of the Italian Renaissance, the dreamlike qualities of Surrealism, and the explorative spirit of psychogeography.

French navigates current advancements in technology alongside his painting practice, from digitally manipulating his photography to incorporating AI into his creative process, generatively building on his own work. The use of AI is not an end product, but a tool for surrealist automatism, echoing the socio-political motivations of the Dada and Surrealist movements to challenge current norms. By subverting digital innovation with classical oil painting, French delves into the interplay between historical and contemporary narratives; he envisions a new Renaissance that looks back as we charge forward.

French’s attraction to non-conformity is rooted in queer identity, which historically required coded forms of communication. Linking this to the rich traditions of mythology and alchemy, French aims to not only to create visually striking pieces but encourage viewers to engage deeply with their own personal narratives, and embrace the transformative nature of art.