Aude Van Ryn

‘Be ambitious but realistic about what you want to achieve, have conviction in what you do.’ Aude Van Ryn

Born in Beligian, illustrator Aude Van Ryn moved to London ages 21 to study illustration at Central Saint Martins and later went on to the complete and MA in illustration Royal College of Art. Aude commented that ‘The MA gave me the confidence and better access to professionals in illustration and design through visiting artists, tutors and lecturers’. Aude’s diverse illustration abilities have appeals to numerous clients meaning she has had lots of different opportunities, her work has been used as theatre posters, packaging for retailer ‘Le Pain Quotidien’ and campaigns for clients such as The British Heart Foundation. She has also been working alongside the British Heart foundation since 1998, she started working in ceramics and now has a studio near her home in Camden. Her hand decorated ceramic pieces are simple in shape and each piece is unique. Ryn travels a lot, she has visited Namibia, Morocco, Mali, India, Central and South America and Lisbon, accompanied by her sketchbooks. Her observations and drawings have been an inspiration and have fed into her commercial work and her ceramics. ‘ I came back full fo energy and ideas, having filled many sketchbooks with drawings, and was ready to carry on the pace even though work was not yet coming in. After her studies had finished Aude ‘brought a run down house that was separated into two flares. I rented out one and lived on that income for the first three years. Aude works in a studio, she says its ‘an inspiring environment. Getting out of the house and into the studio helps to put me in the ‘work’ mode.

Fig 1- Aude Van Ryn

Ryn’s intellectual understanding of art and design is sensitive and focused as are her compositions, yet are rick I detail. Her visual language/ depiction of subjects is created using semi-abstract designs and graphics alongside dots, lines, geometric shapes mixed with plants flowers and birds, which appeal again to a wide audience, and has developed a certain expertise in business communications, working for clients such as Grant Thornton, BP and J.P. Morgan. Ryn often likes the playfulness of abstract shapes inspired by Guidetter Carbonnel, Picasso and 60-70s textiles designs by Marimekko. Her porcelain stoneware is decorated under glaze using brushes, fingertips and sgraffito techniques; they are then dipped in transparent glaze.

Fig 2 Aude Van Ryn

In response to Aude Van Ryn work, I chose to take a piece of text used for a magazine, remove the illustration and place my own piece in its place. The text I chose told the story of a young woman who lost her voice for 3 years, and used a mechanical device in order to communicate which made her sound like a robot. The article told in the first person narrative, showcased her emotions of frustration, angry and eagerness to regain her voice and in turn her freedom and return back to her normal life.

Fig 3- Aude Van Ryn

Inspired my Aude Van Ryn I created my work both digital and traditionally, I drew out a silhouette of a face side on, a common method Ryn uses and a megaphone, acting as my visual motif. I also took on board Ryn’s colour scheme, of mainly black figures, with a neutral colour background and brightly coloured featured elements. Ryn often fills her figures using object, creating further interest, another one of her methodologies I experimented. Below is the first version of my image, and my modified version in order to correctly fill the entire space, and fit the frame encased by the text. 

I am really pleased with the outcome of this piece I think it encompasses the text well and visually looked appealing. However, if I was to repeat this exercise I would possible try to invent some more unique ideas, rather than just sticking to the obvious/ common motif i.e. the megaphone as a sign on shouting – losing your voice. 

Image References

• Fig 1-Katsoulis, M. (2016). Literary preview of 2013. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9756380/Literary-preview-of-2013.html [Accessed 11 Nov. 2016].
• Fig 2-Heartagency.com. (2016). Heart Artist’s Agents - Artists - Aude Van Ryn - Galleries - Aude Van Ryn 1. [online] Available at: http://www.heartagency.com/artist/AudeVanRyn/gallery/1 [Accessed 11 Nov. 2016].
• Fig 3-Vitamininspiration.blogspot.co.uk. (2016). Aude Van Ryn. [online] Available at: http://vitamininspiration.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/aude-van-ryn.html [Accessed 11 Nov. 2016].

References

• Heartagency.com. (2016). Heart Artist’s Agents - Artists - Aude Van Ryn - Galleries - Aude Van Ryn 1. [online] Available at: http://www.heartagency.com/artist/AudeVanRyn/gallery/1 [Accessed 11 Nov. 2016].
• The New Craftsmen. (2016). Aude Van Ryn | Shop | The New Craftsmen. [online] Available at: https://www.thenewcraftsmen.com/handmade-craft-makers/aude-van-ryn/ [Accessed 11 Nov. 2016].