Gallery 2
Luna Ryan
4 February - 21 February 2021
Exploring the artistโs studio practice in Canberra since graduating from the ANU School of Artโs Glass Workshop in 1990, where she studied under Klaus Moje, Luna Ryanโs new solo exhibition unveils a major central work, Citadel (2021), with satellite pieces and wall works combining retrospective elements to reflect on the theme of Looking Forward Looking Back.
In a play on its name that evokes a civic fortress or stronghold, Citadel shows a place devoid of human inhabitants, where the citadel is not the protector of citizens but of Nature. Here Nature seems to be shielded by a swarm of strange critters who evolved out of pods. Like the accompanying retrospective figurative works, Messengers and Faith, they instil a gently dystopian premonition of a world devoid of people.
Radiating out from Citadel, and resonating with this central metaphysical concern, come a series of other glass installations that look at the tension and conflict between people, with views to religion and other vehicles for communication and miscommunication in contemporary society.
A second major installation, Into the Void and Counting (2020) is a philosophical reflection of a playful and humane letting go, while the Unknown Currency works project into a future life of unknown spiritual values. Nearby, wall installations offer windows of silent contemplation, completing the exhibitionโs gradually evolving process of not only looking forward and looking back, but of looking out and looking in.
image: Luna Ryan, Into The Void And Counting, 2020. Kiln cast television screen, metal, 41 x 86 x 5 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.