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Ryan Roa
Though Ryan Roa’s simple sculptures evoke immediate comparisons to Minimalism, Roa’s practice and process possess an inherent intimacy born of his meticulous handling of materiality that set asides the coldness of standard Minimalist work. Roa uses industrial materials such as expanded steel, plywood, and bungee cords, to create immersive site-specific installations that cater to their surrounding architectures. Calculating the brink of tension through meditative trial and error, Roa works with the material to expose its inherent characteristics, while pushing each element to its further point. He takes a methodical approach to his work that is apparent particularly in his numerous drawings on paper. Using pen, ink, pencil, or charcoal, Roa outlines parameters for himself to follow. Whether they take the form of geometric shapes, vectored angles, or darkened monochromatic colors, Roa’s drawings are simultaneously aggressive and submissive. It’s this tension that Roa attempts to explore: how do layers of charcoal react to textured paper? And, more importantly, how does he enhance this process without the abrasiveness of sole authorship? It is perhaps Roa’s background in the military that drives him to seek a dichotomy of control and freedom. Finding peace in his work, Roa allows material forms to speak for themselves, but forces them to teeter precipitously on destruction. His expanded steel sculptures are constantly at tension with nature’s forces; yet, it is their inherent expandability and weight that allows the sculpture to be manifest at all. Roa’s works have been exhibited in institutional and private spaces throughout the United States. After completing such prestigious residencies as The Fountainhead Residency in Miami Florida, and AIM 29 at the Bronx Museum, Roa has gone on to exhibit in major institutions like the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Queens Museum of Art, Jersey City Museum, and Socrates Sculpture Park. He was selected by a jury to present at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as in the El Museo del Barrio’s 2011 Biennale.
8x8 Series #01 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x243.8 cm
8x8 Series #01 (side view) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x243.8 cm
8x8 Series #01 (detail) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x243.8 cm
8x8 Series #04 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x 243.8 cm
8x8 Series #03 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x243.8 cm
8x8 Series #03 (detail) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 8 x 8 x 8 ft | 96 x 96 x 96 in | 243.8 x 243.8 x243.8 cm
Drywall #01 Drywall and 2x4 in screws 54 x 48 x 52in | 137.1 x 121.9 x132.1 cm
Drywall #01 (detail) Drywall and 2x4 in screws 54 x 48 x 52in | 137.1 x 121.9 x132.1 cm
Expanded Steel #01 Expanded steel, threaded rod, and nuts 48 x 42 x 84 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 213.4 cm
Expanded Steel #01 (side view) Expanded steel, threaded rod, and nuts 48 x 42 x 84 in | 121.9 x 106.7 x 213.4 cm
Expanded Steel Knot Expanded steel, nuts, bolts, and washers Dimensions variable
Expanded Steel Relief 01 Expanded steel, threaded rod, nuts bolts, washers and lag bolts Dimensions variable
Expanded Steel Relief #02 Expanded steel, threaded rod, nuts, bolts, washers and lag bolts Dimensions variable
Expanded Steel Relief #03 Expanded steel, threaded rod, nuts, bolts, washers and lag bolts Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #38 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #38 (detail) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #25 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 144 x 96 x 48 in | 365.8 x 243.8 x 121.9
Space Drawing #25 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware 144 x 96 x 48 in | 365.8 x 243.8 x 121.9
Space Drawing #20 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #20 (side view) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #30 Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
Space Drawing #30 (side view) Black rubber bungee cords and hardware Dimensions variable
8x8 Series For his 8x8 drawings series, the artist divided the paper into 16 evenly spaced sections, marking each section with a single point. He then connects each of these points in a variety of ways using straight lines to create vectors, angles, and different shapes, envisioning that the structure of the page will assist in visualizing an algorithmic process.
8x8 Series #005 (L), #006 (R) Pencil on paper 24 x 19 in | 60.9 x 48.3 cm
8x8 Series #002 (L), #010 (R) Pencil on paper 24 x 19 in | 60.9 x 48.3 cm
8x8 Series #012 (L), #065 (R) Pencil on paper 24 x 19 in | 60.9 x 48.3 cm
Untitled Series For his Untitled drawing series, the artist selected specific points on the page as the full drawing’s “entry� point. The shadows and shades of color that emerge from these entry points speaks to the characteristics of the ink Roa uses. Within these parameters, the artist visualizes a myriad of gradients.
Untitled #04 Ink on paper 24 x 19 in | 61 x 48.3 cm
Untitled #02 (L), #03 (R) Ink on paper 24 x 19 in | 61 x 48.3 cm
Untitled #01 (L), #05 (R) Ink on paper 24 x 19 in | 61 x 48.3 cm
4 Points Series For his 4 Points drawing series, the artist selected four random points on the page and then proceeded to connect these points to each of the other three. The resulting shapes and tones emerge organically within these limits, highlighting the process of inherent geometry. Here, Roa delves further into the mathematical process of the formation of shapes.
4 Points Series #14 (L), #11 (R) Ink on paper 12 x 9 in | 30.5 x 22.9 cm
4 points series #10 (L), #13 (R) Ink on paper 12 x 9 in | 30.5 x 22.9 cm
4 Points Series #07 Ink on paper 12 x 9 in | 30.5 x 22.9 cm
Untitled Series For his Untitled pencil drawings series, the artist used one full lead pencil to create each of the blackened shapes. Rubbing the pencil down to its stub, the depth and darkness of each individual shape draws attention to the material used to create it.
Untitled #01 (L), #02 (R) Pencil on paper 24 x 18 in | 61 x 45.7 cm
Untitled #03 (L), #04 (R) Pencil on paper 24 x 18 in | 61 x 45.7 cm