About

Dr Bernard Ryan

Biography

Dr Bernard Ryan is an Abstract and Figurative Artist.

A retired general practitioner and trained psychiatrist, Dr Bernard Ryan discovered by chance in late middle age that he had artistic ability.

In 1997, whilst working in the United Arab Emirates, he decided to illustrate a patient instruction leaflet himself and discovered an innate flair for drawing.

This awakening led to developed interest and engagement with art in many forms.

From 2000 to 2003 he attended the Slade Summer School in London. He has also had solo exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, Turkey and at the Newlyn Gallery at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2008. From October 2010 to April 2011 he was the In-house Artist at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Leeds, England. His solo art exhibition, "Mystery and Menace" was also held in the Radisson Hotel Leeds at the same time.

He is inspired by brightness and vivid colour and is fascinated by the psyche and human predicament.

He is influenced by the work of Franz Marc, especially his colour saturated pictures of horses, symbols of vitality. He is also inspired by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, with his boldy coloured landscapes and figures. Finally, he is influenced by Pablo Picasso and Cubism. These artists have inspired him to create his own unique style, enhanced by a vivid imagination and enquiring mind.

His aspiration for the future is to pursue his interest in abstract painting.