Myopic Landscapes > The artist

Phil Ryan

Phil Ryan was trained in both science and art. He has worked with Forests NSW and CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products for over 25 years as a research scientist. Up to 2005, painting had to be a part-time activity, mostly done in a rush during holidays. Then in 2005 the opportunity came to leave Canberra and establish a studio south of Batlow NSW, in the old Kunama Public School house.

Recent events have meant leaving Kunama and moving Tumbarumba NSW with the aim of building a new studio in 2022.

Phil produces landscape paintings focussing on the simple components of rock, vegetation and water. Compositions often emphasising of the foreground detail. He uses acrylic paints in a colourful, thick, textured style and often adds other media to increase the effect. In certain cases Phil will use mixed media to produce a 3D surface that will extenuate texture and/or affect perspective.

Since 2005, Phil has had ten exhibitions:

  • 2021 Relocation Retrospective at Artists on Parade, Tumbarumba
  • 2018 Young Volcanic Landscapes at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, ACT
  • 2015 High Country Waterfalls at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, ACT
  • 2013 Karst Country (with Glen Ryan) at Belconnen Arts Centre, ACT
  • 2011 Rock, Tree, Water at Five-Ways Gallery, Tumut
  • 2011 Solo exhibition at Glen Street Theatre, Sydney
  • 2010 Kosciuszko to Cape York at Artists on Parade, Tumbarumba
  • 2009 Rainforests at Mawson Gallery, ACT
  • 2007 Kosciuszko Summer at Green Dog Gallery, Gundagai
  • 2005 Iconic Mountains at Sawmill Gallery, Canberra

He has exhibited at Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery Part of the "All in one go: Mark III" Exhibition of regional Riverina artists.

Phil won the 2013 Casella Art Prize at Griffith Regional Art Gallery and has also been selected as a finalist in the:

  • John Leslie Art Prize (Gippsland Regional Gallery) in 2016 and 2020
  • Stanthorpe Art Festival in 2014
  • Casella Art Prize (Griffith Regional Gallery) in 2011 and 2013
  • Calleen Art Prize (Cowra Regional Gallery) in 2010 and 2011
  • Countryscapes Art Prize for Landscape Painting in 2006, 2008 and 2011
  • Mortimore Prize in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011

Find out more about Phil's art: