Confluence

KOAC is pleased to welcome artist Ryan Smitham as our first Artist in Residence for 2024.

Ryan is joining KOAC for a 3-month studio residency.  The Artist in Residence program was inspired by Katie Ohe, one of the founders of KOAC, who has produced a remarkable body of work in her career spanning over 60 years!  Katie is still making art – her most recent sculpture, ZigZag, was installed on site in November 2023. Katie is a renowned artist in the Canadian sculpture community and Ryan continues to be inspired by her work. Reflecting on this opportunity, Ryan shared, ‘Katie is a sculptor I greatly admire. I am honoured to work in her studio and to listen while she shares stories about art making.’

While in residence Ryan is researching the regional Bow River watershed – its confluence to the South Saskatchewan River and eventual drainage into Hudson Bay.  His interest in the Bow peaked in 2023 when the river’s flow reached the lowest level in recorded history. ‘I am making four sculptures, three in cast latex and one in cast bronze, which depict the river system from different scales – highlighting the convergence of its many forks and branches into a continuous flow. This work aims to foster connection to a powerful, delicate, and life-giving body of water.’

Ryan talks about being raised in the forests of Bragg Creek, Alberta – where these interests began for him. ‘Growing up surrounded by plants and animals, I have always loved nature. I am humbled by what I do not know and am excited to learn more.  The writing of author Robin Wall Kimmerer, a member of the Potawatomi Nation and botanist, encouraged me to respect other living beings by first learning their name. Where once I saw a prairie meadow, I now see sage, crocus, blue grama grass and buffalo bean’.

Ryan is spending time in the KOAC sculpture garden and nature preserve. He intends to learn about the plants and animals here and to form a greater connectedness to the land.  Using organic materials and found objects, he will produce large sculptures of plant species and share their stories.

‘My works often include a juxtaposition, drawing the viewer in with beautiful, organic forms while deliberately pointing towards our complex relationship with land and nature.’

The river and plant sculptures will be unveiled for an opening reception at KOAC in late April 2024 and then exhibited at the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery in Capitol Hill in May.  To conclude his residency, Ryan will also lead a creative workshop, inviting participants to make plant sculptures from their own found objects.

KOAC is proud to have Ryan help fulfill our mission towards ongoing research, education, documentation, and enjoyment of contemporary visual art in nature.