Robert Ryman

Commonly regarded as a Minimalist, Robert Ryman’s work explores the manipulation of painting media, often in white or off-white paint on square canvas, to expose the face-value materiality of the applied substances. His monochromatic paintings strive to blend concept and composition, arguing that the purpose of painting is to entertain the eye through the visual qualities of the brush stroke, the depth of the paint, light, and space. Ryman avoids creating illusions or references to reality, instead classifying himself as a “realist” due to his commitment to presenting honeslty in virgin materials. Constantly experimenting with new media such as linen, steel, aluminum, plexiglas, lumasite, vinyl, fiberglass, and corrugated paper, he is committed to straying from familar comforts and the investigation of uncharted territory in order to evolve his artistic practice. Ryman ornaments his subtle pieces by crafting individual hanging and framing devices, bringing into question the work of art and its placement within three dimensional space gallery space.

Ryman’s first solo exhibition was displayed at Paul Bianchini’s gallery in New York and since has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Whitechapel Art Gallery in London, and Halle für Internationale Neue Kunst in Zurich. Ryman was included in Documenta 5 in Kassel, the 1976, 1978, and 1980 Venice Biennale, and the 1977, 1987, and 1995 Whitney Biennial. Ryman donated 21 paintings to the Dia Art Foundation’s permanent collection, and his works can also be found in the collections of major museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate in London, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.