Working in Isolation: Ryan Henisey

By Cathy Breslaw
September 17, 2020

Most artists work in relative isolation.  Our collective art practices and the creative process demands it. It goes against the human urge to congregate and socialize. Still, we persevere as the ‘call to create’ nudges us.  We then deliberately make space – intellectually, emotionally and physically for the act of creation. We move forward quietly, with intention and faith in the process. Never have artists been more aware of isolation than time now spent alone in this Corona Virus pandemic environment. It is not our choice, but as artists we are familiar and in some ways ahead of the game in our familiarity and relative comfort with loneliness of self -containment. This “Working In Isolation” series aims to highlight how artists are adapting and how their work has evolved as a result of the pandemic. Read more articles in this series HERE.

Los Angeles artist Ryan Henisey creates sculpture, installation and performance art. Having lost his father and step-father during the pandemic, he has turned his grief into inspiration and curated an exhibition called Queer Isolation at the TAG Gallery that runs through the end of October, 2020.

1) How has your work shifted during the pandemic? Has it been a change in the process of you creating art? The mediums you use? The themes or concepts you are thinking about?

The pandemic has slowed me down. And that’s a great thing.

In “regular” life, I‘d be operating at a mile a minute, balancing a career, the needs of an artist cooperative, my own practice, and life. All while zipping around in my little orange car. But with global shut downs, Stay At Home orders in California, and increasing needs at the gallery, I’ve slowed my creative and exhibition goals to better fit the shifting world.

Creatively, I’d planned on debuting in China with a cohort of Los Angeles Art Association artists, exhibiting a solo show at TAG Gallery, and more. As those plans delayed, I decided to take time explore new ideas and focus on elevating the cooperatives gallery experience for both our artists and patrons. This space has allowed me to focus on artwork outside of my normal practice. I’ve experimented with new materials—such as papier mache, plaster, and concrete.

And rather than focusing on my own exhibition, I was inspired to make space for queer artists. QUEER isolation, was a small celebration of pride that displayed through August, 2020. The show is in my studio at TAG Gallery and features 20 different artists, from as far west as Honolulu, Hawaii to as far east as South Bend, Indiana. The display is extended through the end of October 2020. It’s been a joy to see and experience the art of others, especially in this time where we are isolating and keeping distance. (...Continued)