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A series of interesting and alluring images which are designed to make you smile.
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yworkwas inspired by the need to escape from the sometimes harsh realities of this
philosopher Roland Barthes as Ryder’s notional reference, the idea is that empowerment gives us back control; no dictatorial biography, instead ameta- phorical blank canvas for us, the audience, to take charge and formour own opinions. Barthes famous viewwas that as an audiencewe have subjectivity imposed upon us – that our knowledge of an author, painter or poet ultimately colours our opinion of, and attitude towards, the piece itself and in his work “Death of the Author” he urges us to look beyond the constraints of the simple answer, the easy route, and to judge each creation on its ownmerit. No artist biography to influence your impressions, no collection overview to police your critique, just the art laid bare. As Barthes stated, “it is languagewhich speaks, not the author” and so Ryder has taken the lead and offers the voice, but leaves the art to do the talking. We likewhat Ryder says!
world”, is the only public utterance that the elusive Ryder has released to the media since his colourful work attracted interest fromWashington Green. A reclusive artist without a fixed identity who does not seek publicity, Ryder is as enigmatic as the now infamous Banksy, andmay be set to become just as prolific! The collection is an energetic and exuberant celebration of life. Rich blue huesminglewith a vivid technicolour palette, in a series of paintings that celebrate the natural world. Painted on canvas with an almost childlike simplicity, andwith the backdrop of an ethereal and beautiful landscape, they forma series of interesting and alluring images which are designed tomake you smile. Ryder’s view is that art should speak for itself, without any back story or knowledge of the artist or ulterior meaning. Taking the literary critic and
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GALLERY The Ryder collection is available now. Viewonline at washingtongreen.co.uk
34 FIN e ARTC o LL e CT o R AUTUMN2014
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