Ryan Gander

Ryan Gander is a British conceptual artist, born in 1976 in Chester, known for his wide-ranging and multidisciplinary practice that spans sculpture, installation, photography, video, and writing. His work is characterized by a playful yet intellectually rigorous exploration of language, storytelling, and perception. Often focusing on everyday objects or situations, Gander uses subtle interventions and unexpected juxtapositions to invite viewers to reconsider the familiar and uncover hidden narratives within the seemingly mundane. Gander’s practice defies easy categorization, as he constantly shifts between mediums and approaches. This fluidity is a hallmark of his work, where one piece might take the form of a meticulously crafted object, while another could be an installation, a puzzle, or even a fictional narrative. He is known for creating works that encourage viewers to engage in an active process of interpretation, where meaning is not always immediately apparent but is instead revealed through observation and contemplation. His work often plays with concepts of absence and presence, leaving space for viewers to project their own ideas and interpretations.One of Gander’s recurring themes is the idea of storytelling, both in its explicit and implicit forms. He often weaves personal and fictional narratives into his works, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. In pieces like The Fallout of Living (2016), Gander presents a sculptural scene that evokes an ambiguous narrative, prompting viewers to imagine what events might have taken place. Through this, Gander explores how stories are constructed and how meaning is generated through the act of interpretation.Gander’s work also frequently engages with the history of art and its conventions, often referencing or reworking iconic pieces from the art historical canon. He invites viewers to question established norms and assumptions about art, using humor and subtle irony to critique the structures that define the art world. In doing so, he creates a dialogue between the past and the present, linking contemporary practice with the broader history of ideas and culture.Internationally recognized, Gander has exhibited at major institutions including Tate Modern in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Venice Biennale. His works are celebrated for their conceptual depth, wit, and ability to engage viewers in a process of discovery and meaning-making. By blending the everyday with the extraordinary, Ryan Gander challenges audiences to rethink how they see the world, offering a fresh perspective on the relationships between objects, ideas, and narratives in contemporary art.