Ryan Osborne’s sculptures are made through a responsive engagement with material, seeking a heightened sense of balance and tension within each piece. He typically begins with a general direction in mind for each sculpture and often sketches out his thoughts; however, he also works quickly, making deliberate decisions informed by the movement and physical resistance of the clay. As zoomorphic or human elements are abstracted, the forms begin to suggest plants, animals, or figures. Through atmospheric firings, he develops a range of colors that feel suited to the forms.
Atmospheric firing, wood firing in particular, introduces an element of uncertainty, though certain outcomes can be encouraged through kiln placement and the use of slips, glazes, or wadding. This variability—shaped by the movement of air, fire, and ash—pairs naturally with his approach. The resulting shifts in color and surface activate the sculptural and tactile presence of the work.
Osborne’s recent Eternal Dog series began as a way of working through the grief following the death of his dog, Ella. By creating a playful likeness of her, he found some relief from the weight of her loss. Out of her absence—and now, alongside his two beagles, Molly and Simone—the work has continued to evolve into new forms.
