Simplexity is the title, and the perfect word, to describe artist Ryan Bubnis’s solo exhibition at Portland’s One Grand Gallery. With a overarching focus on simplification of form and shape, Simplexity, showcases the illustrator, as well as the educator’s bold, graphic and whimsical approach to .
In Bubnis’ first solo show with the gallery, the Portland based artist will feature a series of new paintings, drawings and ceramics. It is Bubnis’s current position as associate professor at The Pacific Northwest College of Art that has played a major role in both style and his most recent work.
“I’m often at odds with my knowledge of art making versus my intuition. I’m constantly critiquing work in order to discover what makes a successful image. As a result, I’ve pared-down and simplified my imagery with an emphasis on shape-based art making.”
With illustrations that are readily accessible, iconic and simplistic, Bubnis spends countless hours producing each piece. Bubnis finds it difficult to create his seemingly simplistic pieces, which unexpectedly take hours of researching, sketching and drawing.
Throughout the process Bubnis asks these questions, “Why is it so difficult to make something simple? How can an unplanned, intuitive drawing contain as much or more vitality than a large-scale painting that took months to plan and execute? That’s what I’m trying to figure out. That’s what keeps me making things.”
Bubnis has collaborated with a number of commercial clients and agencies and his work has been exhibited across the U.S. and abroad. Some of his clients include, Adobe, Buy Olympia, Coca-Cola, Dreamville/Interscope Records, Guster, Singha and Starbucks. He is currently an Assistant Professor at The Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon.
SIMPLEXITY
October 2nd – 30th, 2015
BESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswy
Opening Reception
Friday, October 2nd from 7:00 – 10:00PM