Ryan Horton
Ryan Horton is an artist from Lilburn, GA, based in Boston, MA, driven by curiosity and expression. As a Black man living in America, Ryan has always been taught to conform to survive in environments that were never meant for him. Because of this, throughout Ryan’s professional career, he strives to push the boundaries of acceptance and expectations.
With a Master's in Architecture from Northeastern University, a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art & Design, and professional experience in graphic design, Ryan has been exposed to a number of creative methods and mediums that have fueled his passion not only to create but also to breathe purpose into his works. Utilizing his structured architectural foundation and a raw understanding of aesthetic purity, Ryan continuously evolves his unique artistic integrity. He uses digital mixed media and bold, expressive single lines to further his exploration of self through the freedom of artistic expression.
Artist Statement
The complexities of life can be simplified through the use of design elements such as squares and circles layered with images and line drawings. These minimalistic elements allow me to present the intricacies of my life experiences, of being categorized in a world where I was never meant to fit in nor choose to conform.
In this world, where I have to adapt my image and expression to fit within my environment, my identity continues to fragment. My collage work uses selected features while others remain hidden or obscured. Although the portraits are not whole, they still highlight the beauty of Black features and the strength in their expression. Over time, I have grown to appreciate myself and my Black expression. The elongated Black figures in my pieces represent my presence in spaces, while also highlighting the exaggerated overthinking I experience throughout my artistic process. The single-line faces are used to show the internal complexities I encounter and carry daily.
What initially sparked your interest in art?
I just love drawing. I drew all the time throughout school, and when I got the opportunity to attend Savannah College of Art and Design, I jumped at it. Art school opened doors for me to explore and create freely. It’s been an exciting journey to see just how far my love for doodling has taken me.
What connects your work together and what keeps you creating?
My work is an extension of me. I’m able to pour raw emotions into my pieces, allowing me to breathe and release my worries. Some of the pieces featured are from a series called Ego and Insecurities, focused on the internal balancing act of being confident as an artist while shaped by past and current insecurities.
Throughout my work, the single-line technique has become a signature element. While it may seem simple, its presence offers viewers a complete moment of my artistic expression from start to finish. These lines connect all my pieces and can be seen as bread crumbs that trace the order I completed them in.
Describe your work using three words.
Bold, introspective, and cathartic.
What are you most proud of as an artist, whether it's a specific moment or who you are as an artist?
I’m proud that I believe in myself enough to live out a dream. Being an artist was never something I considered, to be honest. I wasn’t exposed to artists that looked like me, so I never knew it could be a fulfilling path. But my curiosity about everything opened the opportunity to ask, “Why?” and “Why not?” After exploring the corporate worlds of architecture, experiential design, and graphic design, I decided to use all the knowledge I had gained from my past experiences and bet on myself as a full-time artist.
It’s been a stressful journey, pushing and expanding beyond the world I was accustomed to. But now, after seeing my pieces in multiple galleries, a museum, and starting to plan an upcoming solo exhibition, I’ve allowed myself to believe my truth as an artist.
If you could be in a two-person exhibition with any artist from history, who would it be and why?
Oh, this is a tough one. If I had the honor to share a two-person exhibition with any artist in history, I would choose Ernie Barnes. His pieces have been around me since I was young. His work titled The Sugar Shack has been etched in my memory for as long as I can remember. What draws me to Barnes is his ability to showcase liveliness and expression through the dynamic poses in his works. With my own focus on posture in my pieces, I believe we could create a vibrant exhibition together.
