Jessi Ryan, Author at ArtsHub Australia

Jessi Ryan

Jessi Ryan (they/them) has been creating performance and exhibitions for the past 20 years, both locally, nationally and abroad- in this time collaborating with a huge number of artists from a broad cross section of cultural backgrounds. As a journalist they have written for and been published by some of Australia’s leading arts and news editorial across the last 10 years-and was recognised as a finalist for Globe Community Media Award in 2021. Ryan has also taken photos for a number of print and online publications.

Jessi Ryan's Latest Articles

Jess McAvoy’s ‘The Search’ performing as part of Midsumma Festival 2024. Photo: Jen Macchiarelli. McAvoy (short blond hair, tattoos covering their arm and wearing a guitar behind their back) looks towards the camera, standing against a back background with soft lights.

Performance reviews: The Search and Trevor Ashley: The (First Annual) Farewell Show, Midsumma Festival

At Midsumma Festival this year, Jess McAvoy presents an unforgettable performance in ‘The Search’ and Trevor Ashley revealed the dark…

Jessi Ryan

Jan 23, 2024

Work by David Lee Pereira, 'Puppy play', 2023 (left) and Thao Tran, 'Serving Opulence', 2022-23 (right). Image: Supplied, courtesy of the artists. On the left is a painting of a cheetah wearing a bdsm mask licking its nose against a pink faded to blue background. On the left is the painting of a woman with long black hair lounging and holding a plate of oysters between her legs.

Features

'The artist is sacred' – holding space for queer narratives

The annual 'Summer Daze' exhibition returns to Off the Kerb Gallery. ArtsHub speaks to gallery owner and exhibiting artists on…

Jessi Ryan

Jan 18, 2024

Photo: Bruno Pires on Pexels. Photo of a mirror shattered on a gray surface with the reflection of a person's hand.

Features

RED Gallery changing hands, artists still owed money

After speaking out on payments owed by RED Gallery, artists are now worried that new ownership will delay their settlements…

Jessi Ryan

Jan 17, 2024

'A Night with Pastor Ace' by Ace R L. Image: Supplied. A non-binary person standing with their hands held in prayer, wearing a rainbow blazer and a dildo with googly eyes on their shoulder.

Features

Conversion practice survivor spins story to comedic gold

Ace R L's 'sacrilegious musical comedy' brings their experience of church-led conversion practices out of the dark with humour, authenticity…

Jessi Ryan

Jan 16, 2024

Exterior photo of Temperance Hall. Image: Supplied. Vintage photo showing a white brick two-storey building with the words 'TEMPERANCE HALL" on it and several Volkswagon Beetle cars parked in front on the street.

Features

The battle for Temperance Hall

A significant space where artists have 'free rein', Temperance Hall is facing closure by mid-2024 due to ongoing funding woes.

Jessi Ryan

Dec 21, 2023

‘BLAKTIVISM 2023’ performance at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo: Pics That Pop. First Nations performers on stage wearing brightly coloured clothes against a projected background of a raised fist. In the foreground audiences are giving the performs a standing ovation.

Performance review: BLAKTIVISM, Hamer Hall

A potent First Nations performance with stirring vocals, storytelling and words of protest.

Jessi Ryan

Dec 12, 2023

RED Gallery. Image is a grey building facade with two windows either side of a middle door.

News

Melbourne gallery has artists seeing red

Artists speak up after frustrating dealings with long-standing RED Gallery.

Jessi Ryan

Dec 5, 2023

Image: Shutterstock. Collage of a lip with a cross over it and a hand holding up a microphone.

Opinions & Analysis

Dark side of the arts: where fear and transparency collide

What are arts journalists to do when those we are trying to empower to speak up fear the repercussions?

Jessi Ryan

Dec 4, 2023

Disaster. Image is of ‘Le Freak’ at Melbourne Fringe Festival 2023, with a backdrop of flames behind a devilish figure with horns and one arm raised.

Performance reviews: Myth, Propaganda and Disaster and the Heirs of America, and Le Freak, Melbourne Fringe Festival

A successful, spine-tingling sequel and good hour of circus entertainment.

Jessi Ryan

Oct 25, 2023

inquiry. Image shows two hands holding a piece of dark card with a chalk question mark on it in front of a black backdrop of chalked question marks.

Features

Just an Inquiry or a golden opportunity?

Arts sector leaders respond to the launch of the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

Jessi Ryan

Oct 22, 2023

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