Ryan Travis Christian

Biography
1983, Oackland, USA
 
Ryan Travis Christian's surreal personal narratives are fuelled by the absurdity of life in his small, suburban-Chicago hometown. The untidy lifestyles of contemporary humanity are all hanging out, including heavy petting, drugs and alcohol, beaten-up cars, fireworks and death. Christian's idiosyncratic vision, influenced by vintage political cartoons and hand-drawn animation, has recently expanded to include commentary on current crises in the nation and world at large. Tackling hot political issues such as immigration, depression and the American dream, Christian's historical precedents become a mirror reflecting many common concerns of the present, warts and all. His small daily drawings touch upon a vast array of topics (the economy, violence, the environment, gender, class, hope, doubt, and the afterlife) as they muse on the technological and material obsolescence of his cartoon and animation influences, Christian doubles down on the paradoxical relationship between childish cartoons and ominous messages.
 
Ryan Travis Christian's exhibitions include the contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh, NC, USA; The Hole, NY, USA; Guerrero Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA; Halsey McKay, East Hampton, NY, USA; and Cooper Cole, Toronto, Canada. He has been included in group shows in London, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Hong Kong, New York, Baltimore, Dallas and Los Angeles. His work has been written about in Frieze, Art ltd, Art Papers, New American Paintings, Daily Serving, Indy week and the Associated Press. His works are in numerous private collections worldwide.
Works
  • Ryan Travis Christian, AFTER A, 2024
    AFTER A, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, BOOTS IN THE AIR, 2024
    BOOTS IN THE AIR, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, BYOB
    BYOB
  • Ryan Travis Christian, CLIMB, 2024
    CLIMB, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, HAVE A LATER, HAVE FUN TOO, 2024
    HAVE A LATER, HAVE FUN TOO, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT, 2024
    KNOCK YOURSELF OUT, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, LADY BIRD LOVE, 2024
    LADY BIRD LOVE, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, MAN BIRD LOVE, 2024
    MAN BIRD LOVE, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, MORE POWER TO YOU, 2024
    MORE POWER TO YOU, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, PORTRAIT OF A STILL LIFE, 2024
    PORTRAIT OF A STILL LIFE, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, REPTILE, 2024
    REPTILE, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, RUNNING FOOT FOLLIES, 2024
    RUNNING FOOT FOLLIES, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, SAILOR MOONDOG, 2024
    SAILOR MOONDOG, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, SEX CASTLE, 2024
    SEX CASTLE, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, STARSLING, 2024
    STARSLING, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, 2024
    GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, TBC
    TBC
  • Ryan Travis Christian, NOT IN THE CARDS FOR YOU, 2024
    NOT IN THE CARDS FOR YOU, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, TBC
    TBC
  • Ryan Travis Christian, VAPIN ON THE JOB, 2024
    VAPIN ON THE JOB, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, HUH
    HUH
  • Ryan Travis Christian, WHAT ABOUT ME!?, 2024
    WHAT ABOUT ME!?, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, A GUY JUST PAID FOR A HAIRCUT HE DOESNT LIKE, 2023
    A GUY JUST PAID FOR A HAIRCUT HE DOESNT LIKE, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, CLOCKSTOPPERS, 2024
    CLOCKSTOPPERS, 2024
  • Ryan Travis Christian, LAOVANDO, 2023
    LAOVANDO, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, PEPPER 2, 2023
    PEPPER 2, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, PLATE CARRIER, 2023
    PLATE CARRIER, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, PLUR, 2023
    PLUR, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, TIME FUCKER, 2023
    TIME FUCKER, 2023
  • Ryan Travis Christian, Spark Bird, 2022
    Spark Bird, 2022
  • Ryan Travis Christian, Red Dog, 2022
    Red Dog, 2022
  • Ryan Travis Christian, Party at the Pinnacle, 2022
    Party at the Pinnacle, 2022
  • Ryan Travis Christian, DOWNHILL FROM HERE, 2022
    DOWNHILL FROM HERE, 2022
Publications
News
Art Fairs