Ryan F Kennedy: fortyfivedownstairs

Ryan F Kennedy ME ^{-1} WE: fortyfivedownstairs

ME ^{-1} WE, is an exhibition which recently opened in Melbourne as a project organized by Walk to the Art (New York) in conjunction with the Melbourne Girls Grammar Academy.

Ryan F Kennedy, with an emerging career in the visual arts, was chosen as the resident artist for this project, at the Melbourne Girls Grammar. Kennedy graduated from New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in 2006. Since his graduation he has had exhibitions, installations and performances throughout New York City.

The ME ^{-1} WEexhibition, at fortyfivedownstairs, consists of five installations in which the fabric and dressmaking or sewing – using different elements as support – is the main protagonist.

The first piece we encounter, is installed at an angle to the wall forming a perfect cube, which in turn is lit from inside and creates a sort-of light box. Its entire surface is covered in a dynamic interplay of lines made up of interwoven threads by way of a zig – zag patterned seam.

Then we find a mural illustrated directly on the wall with crayon. Here we see how a visual rhythm is established via thick lines… lines going in one direction, then on a different track all together and sometimes they even intersect one another.

In another space, there are a set of mobile-type pieces, made of thread and, with metal for support. Again, the artist uses different elements other than fabric for his creative ‘sewing’.

The next creation we are introduced to – one of the most interesting in the exposition – Kennedy makes the wall his paper/canvas; he uses ribbon as his pencil to create an abstract geometric shape. The most interesting part of this piece is that the artist manages to disengage completely from the canons and techniques of conventional design to create entirely new avenues of expression.

The show finished with a piece which was a combination of the creative efforts from the students of the Melbourne Girls Grammar Academy and Ryan F Kennedy. The pupils painted glass tiles, which were then installed on the wall, Kennedy later wove thread through them. With this work of art, Kennedy’s three month residency and artistic contribution came to a conclusion.

This was an interesting exposition to view and experience, it provided insight into the unfolding of an emerging new art form in New York City. This is also a project which promotes the development of education and opens the doors to art, for new generations to come.

ME ^{-1} WE
Mixed media by Ryan F Kennedy

Season closed