Born 19.03.1992
Hi, my name is Ryan Allen and I am a visual artist from Belfast.
My inspiration derives from the human condition and the environments in which they affect our cognitive behaviour, typically starting with my own. I hope to create images that portray suggestive and metaphorical qualities, containing messages or conveying something visceral to evoke a response from the viewer. I tend to look at myself and my own experiences as I approach new projects - this can feel daunting and lonely. As majority of the work is personal it allows me to challenge the convincing sense of loneliness as audiences recognise aspects of themselves in the images. The camera is used as a tool to explore systematic and intuitive methods while allowing it to guide and manifest my visual language. Much of my photographic aesthetic was implemented through my interest in cinema, exploring colour and light to further enhance the atmospheric attributes.
Ryan has finished his Bachelors of Arts at Ulster University, achieving a first class honours in Photography with Video in July 2022, and has recently graduated from one year of international studies at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design situated in Budapest. He was awarded a place on the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences executive Dean’s List for his academic year of 2018-2019. Ryan became one of five recipients of the inaugural RADAR Research and Development Artist Residency for PhotoIreland. He joined the 2023 Futures Platform as one of five Irish Artists, culminating in an annual networking event at the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Centre.
Education
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Art and Design Practice
Diploma in International Academic Studies with Distinction. Graduated from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), Budapest
Bachelors of Arts, Photography with Video (First Class Honours) - Ulster University
Awards
Dean's list 2018-19
Santander's Student Enterprise Support Grant
Nominated and selected for the Research and Development Artist Residency (RADAR) supported by PhotoIreland
Selected for Irish Photo Network - An online platform showcasing contemporary photographic practices from the island of Ireland. Organised by Photo Museum Ireland in partnership with Belfast Exposed, Belfast Photo Festival and Source Magazine.
Selected for the Futures Platform 2023
SIAP Award - Arts Council Northern Ireland
Publications & Exhibitions
Source, Graduate Online Photography 2022
Wiki Photoireland
The Golden Thread Gallery: A Bigger Picture 12 May – 09 July 2022
Ulster University Graduate Show 6th June - 18th June
PhotoIreland Festival 2022 7th July - 28th August
The Big Queer Art Show - 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast - August 2022
Irish Photo Network 2022
Irish Arts Review 2022
Ulster University's official Instagram and Twitter
Pavilion 333 of the Pinakothek der Moderne - June 2023
Catalyst Arts: to lean, to fold, to fall, to buckle, to hold, to carry, to support 17th August - 15th September
Furtures Catalogue 2023