by Jordan Evans
Artist Ryan Harris learned this lesson early when his cousin committed suicide. This event continues to be a major influence on his screen-printing.
“It’s a really tough sort of gray area when I create something because it’s coming from such a dark place, but it’s trying to be good,” Harris said. “And that can be well received by people that get it.”
Harris’ first expressions of art were through poetry and photography during his adolescent years. His uncle was a professional artist and was one of his first role models.
Harris entered OU as an international business major, intending to open a gallery and be a collector. After changing his major twice, he joined the art department, and the idea of a professional art career began to blossom.
In OU’s art department, Harris became involved in multiple projects including showing works in the annual student exhibition held at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum. He also has showcased his work in the art department’s gallery.
Art professor Curtis Jones met Harris in 2012 when Harris enrolled in one of his screen-printing courses. Jones said Harris was a motivated student who was always dedicated to his projects.
“He wasn’t trying to impress you by how well he draws, paints or sculpts,” Jones said. “ He was trying to convey something very specific for a bigger purpose.”
Harris graduated in May with a degree in studio art focusing on contemporary sculpture and printmaking. He plans to move to Michigan, earn a master’s degree, and teach art in college.
“I want to teach, and I want to feel like I’m actually teaching people who want to learn. Teaching at a collegiate level will allow me to supplement my income while I make my own art,” said Harris. “The end goal would be a career artist and just getting paid to make my stuff at shows.”
Harris also has been involved in art shows outside of academia. The Norman Arts Council and Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition have showcased his work multiple times. Harris was chosen in May by the NAC to create a sculpture displayed in Lion’s Park.
One of Harris’ favorite ways to display his art is through gorilla instillation. He places his works in public places – often without a permit – so they can be seen by anyone. One of his most popular instillations was when he displayed a banner reading “YOU ARE A PERSON” along a campus street.
“I’ve always been interested in graffiti. I’ve just never been necessarily good enough to do it, so creating an object and just putting it out into the public realm has always been exciting to me,” Harris said. “I still get that adrenaline rush of doing graffiti, but I can do it in a different way that’s more aesthetically pleasing.”
Harris described his art style as conceptual because the piece is about the meaning and not the aesthetic. Using text in his art is one of the main ways he raises awareness about social and political issues.
“The image is just a vehicle to convey that concept,” Harris said. “So because of that, I’ve had to make all these different images and different objects to convey different concepts. It’s what I felt to be the most effective way.”
