Ryan Agnew was born 1978 in Alexandria, Virginia and now lives and works in Columbus, Ohio. He completed a BFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1996 and MFA at The Ohio State University in 2003. With a practice that ranges and varies in form, Ryan Agnew is an artist whose sincere investment in the present moment reflects itself in the art he produces, the questions he raises and the community he fosters through interaction with other artists. Since February of 2009 Agnew has worked with others to develop, manage and host It Looks Like It’s Open, a shared working studio space and testing ground for experimental projects and events. Agnew exhibits regularly and has been the recipient of several awards including a fellowship for emerging artists from The Ohio State University’s Arts Initiative in 2010 and an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in 2009. During the summer of 2010, he completed a residency with the Nonstop Institute in Yellow Springs, Ohio; the work he developed during this period reflects his interest in familial oral histories and their relationship to local stories and cycles in nature. Ryan is currently employed as an Adjunct Instructor at Ohio Dominican University and a Customer Service Associate at Columbus Metropolitan Library.
One-Person Exhibitions
The Web of Life, curated by Migiwa Orimo, Telephone Booth at Dayton x Walnut, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2010
What We Will Become, Camelot Cellars, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Attempt to Resuscitate Michael Jackson, Full Force Showcase Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Vermi Culture, curated by Dina Sherman, The IMA Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Going to Sheep, Root Art Center, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 2008
Worm Underfoot, Van Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Cheese Pour and other new works, Studio Ash, Columbus, Ohio, 2004
In/finite Limits, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Hoyt L. Sherman Studio Art Center, Columbus, Ohio, 2002
Four Recent Works, Space 126, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999
Something Blew In Here, Foxhole Project Space, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999
Selected Group Exhibitions
OHIOCENTRIC, City Center Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2012
A Woman’s V.O.I.C.E. Fundraiser Art Show, Sleeq Salon, Gahanna, Ohio, 2011
All the Pretty Trees, juried by Michelle Ishida and Tera Stockdale, It Looks Like It's Open, Columbus, Ohio, 2011
Artillery Invitational, invited by Kate Dowell, Junctionview Studios, Grandview Heights, Ohio, 2011
Art for Life, The Columbus AIDS Task Force, Exhibit and Live Auction, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
Artists at 13 E Tulane, Artillery, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
Staff Art Show, Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
Tracing Lines, It Looks Like It's Open, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
ImageOHIO10, sponsored by Roy G Biv Gallery, juried by Michael Stickrod, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, Columbus, Ohio, 2010
Drawing It Out, curated by Sarah Weinstock, Kuhn Gallery, Marion, Ohio, 2009
Vir2ual Cage, organized by Michelle Lach, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Pulp Art, sponsored by Roy G Biv Gallery, Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Joy Divisions, curated by Eva Ball, Van Gallery at Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Something About Nothing, curated by Sarah Weinstock and Scot Kaplan, Kuhn Gallery, Marion, Ohio, 2009
ImageOHIO9, sponsored by Roy G Biv Gallery, juried by Paula Tognarelli, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Darwin's Bicentennial: Art, Science and the Origin of Species, curated by Prudence Gill and Sarah Weinstock, Hopkins Hall Gallery & Corridor, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Kuhn Gallery, Marion, Ohio, 2008
Reference Collection, sponsored by Bureau for Open Culture, free at various libraries throughout Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Visiting Artists/Lecturers, Hopkins Hall Gallery & Corridor, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Art al Fresco, sponsored by Short North Business Association, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
What Time is this Place, curated by Sergio Soave, OSU Urban Arts Space, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
28 Windows, organized by Nathan Ober, The Shelf / Skylab, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Visiting Artists/Lecturers, Hopkins Hall Gallery & Corridor, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Slideluck Potshow, hosted by Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Re-Surfacing, Skylab, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Ryan Agnew and Jennifer D Anderson, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Selling Secrets & Collecting Hearts, curated by Wynter Whiteside, Neo Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2006
Mouth: Ryan Agnew and Dietrich Wegner, Ohio Art League, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Nearly: Kate Joranson, Ryan Agnew, Ian Ruffino, Mahan Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Transformations, sponsored by Ohio Art League, juried by Elizabeth Thomas, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio, 2004
Video Showcase, H. Lewis Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000
BFA Thesis Exhibition, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000
Apples From the Tree: Where We Landed From the Stars, H. Lewis Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000
Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, juried by Helen Molesworth, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000
Art and Healing, Maryland General Health Care Center, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999
Performances
Worm Man, with sound assistance from Mike Shiflet, Ohio Art League benefit, Columbus, Ohio, July 15, 2011
Storytime, with Matt Carmean, It Looks Like It's Open, Columbus, Ohio, April 25, 2010
Worm Man, in collaboration with Aimee Sones' Aluminum Foil Mountain and the Learning Site Audible Dwelling, sponsored by Bureau for Open Culture, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 2010
Worm Man, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, April 11, 2010
Worm Man, opening for Sword Heaven, Café Bourbon Street, Columbus, Ohio, October 30, 2010
Worm Man, Dharma Farm, Gambier, Ohio, March 17, 2008
Worm Man, Maple Hollow Farm, Virginia, March 10, 2007
Worm Man, invited by Ken Rinaldo, Majestic Galleries, Nelsonville, Ohio, June 29, 2007
Worm Man, accompanied by Erin Hewgley, in conjunction with Re-Surfacing Symposium, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, March 29 and 30, 2007
Defunct Park Water Theme, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, February 3, 2007
Worm Underfoot, Van Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 2007
PPBBbpbbbu with pursed lips, Roberson Dance Studio, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, February 4, 2004
Between G & E, in collaboration with Ran Berdichesky, Haskett Sound Stage, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2002
Honour Bright, Warehouse Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2002
Rotten Sun, for event organized by Stelarc, Haskett Sound Stage, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2001
Curatorial Projects and Adjudications
Curator, In the Summertime, It Looks Like It's Open, Columbus, Ohio, August 21, 2010
Co-juror, 100 Leagues Under the C, Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, September 17-October 23, 2009
Curator, Pet Pics, Blank Space, Northside Library Staff Break Room, August 17-29, 2009
Co-juror, Accessible Expressions, VSA arts of Ohio, Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Curator, Randy Hunter, Van Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Curator, Van Fleet: Three Works by Mark Van Fleet, Van Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2006
Curator, Mouth, Ohio Art League Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Teaching Experience
Teen Art Workshop, Northside Branch, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2010-present
Adjunct Instructor, Art, Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, Ohio, 2009-present
Academic Drawing - 4 sections
Observational Drawing - 1 section
Paint Techniques and Materials / Color Theory - 2 sections
Figure Drawing / Perspective Drawing - 2 sections
Two Dimensional Design / Three Dimensional Design - 2 sections
Lecturer, Department of Art, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2006-2009
Digital Image Manipulation I - 3 sections
Digital Image Manipulation I (Mansfield Campus) - 1 section
Visual Studies: Real and Recorded Time Arts - 7 sections
Visual Studies: 3D Art - 1 section
Graduate Teaching Associate (Instructor of Record), Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2001-2002
Visual Studies: 3D Art - 4 sections
Beginning Drawing - 3 sections
Graduate Teaching Associate (Teaching Assistant), Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2000-2001
Visual Studies: 3D Art, assisting Malcolm Cochran - 1 section
Introduction to Sculpture, assisting Professor Malcolm Cochran - 1 section
Introduction to Sculpture, assisting Professor Carmel Buckley - 1 section
Introduction to Sculpture, assisting visiting artist Joel Fisher - 1 section
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000
Foundation Painting, assisting Professor Sharon Yates - 1 section
Landscape Painting in New Brunswick Canada, assisting Professor Sharon Yates - 1 section
Invited Talks
"Humor in Contemporary Art", Senior Seminar, Instructor Jessica Larva, Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, Ohio, 2011
Artist Presentation and Studio Visits, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, April 11 2010
"The Funny Side of Art", Concepts and Issues in Art, Instructor Alison Crocetta, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Gallery Talk, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Gallery Talk, Visiting Artists/Lecturers, Hopkins Hall Gallery & Corridor, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2007
Artist Presentation, Senior Seminar in Studio Art, Instructor Patrick Weber, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2006
Artist Presentation, Concepts and Issues in Art, Instructor Anja Bruggemann, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Artist Presentation, Concepts and Issues in Art, Instructor Ian Ruffino, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2003
Related Workshop & Event Participation
Participant, Video Support Group, organized by Jamie Boyle, Columbus, Ohio, 2009-2010
Participant, Cinder Block / Learning to Sleep With Mr. Kaprow by Matthew Ducmanas, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Participant, Sharon Hayes performance workshop, Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil Studio, Columbus, Ohio, 2009
Volunteer, Hey Girl!, Romeo Castellucci/Socìetas Raffaello Sanzio, Thurber Theatre, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Participant, Goat Island performance workshop, Links Hall, Chicago, Illinois, 2006
Performer, See the Saw Band, Subtropics Experimental Music and Sound Art Festival, Miami, Florida, 2005
Participant, Mercy, Meredith Monk and Ann Hamilton, Thurber Theatre, Columbus, Ohio, 2001
Participant, Preparing Studio Art Faculty workshop, directed by Todd DeVriese and Rebekah Modrak, Department of Art, Ohio State University, 2001
Independent Study with Dr. Richard Kalter, Theologian in Residence, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999-2000
Other Professional Activities
Customer Services Associate, Northside Branch, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2008-present
Data Entry Consultant, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Consultant and OSU:pro Trainer, Center for Knowledge Management, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Temporary Preparator, Canzani Gallery, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio, August 2008
Artist's Assistant, Todd Slaughter, EMF Comfort Zone: Head Tent for Todd Slaughter, Columbus, Ohio, 2007-2008
Art Handler, Robert A. Lewis collection, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2007
Administrative Assistant, Foundation Studies, Department of Art, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2006-2007
Temporary Preparator, Exhibitions Department, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, 2005-2007
Artist's Assistant, Allan McCollum, Over Ten Thousand Individual Works, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Artist's Assistant, Won Ju Lim, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio, 2005
Restaurant Server, Columbus, Ohio, 2002-2005
Artist's Assistant, Ann Hamilton Studio, Seattle Public Library Project, 2003
Honors & Awards
Residency and Stipend, Local Stories—An Oral Histories Project, Nonstop Institute of Yellow Springs, 2010
Arts Initiative Fellowship for Emerging Artists, Ohio State University, 2010
Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council, 2009
Art al Fresco Prize, Best Execution, Short North Business Association, Columbus, Ohio, 2008
Honorarium and materials and accommodations award for What Time Is This Place exhibition, Department of Art, Ohio State University, 2008
Residency and Fellowship, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, February 2004
Preparing Studio Art Faculty Grant, Department of Art, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2001
Graduate Teaching Associate Scholarship, Department of Art, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2000-2002
Merit Scholarship, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, 1996-1999
Annual Merit Scholorship Award, Northern Virginia Handcrafter's Guild, Falls Church, Virgnia, 1996
Residency, Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, Richmond University, Richmond, Virginia, 1995