RYCA (Ryan Callanan) gave me an earful of the latest in his world. I am thrilled to catch up with him, and his resin meanderings of the carded nature. We talked about his connection to Star Wars, his process some and we are now up to date on current projects, including the Rave Heroes we had mentioned here earlier. Here's hoping you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
Callanan in the Studio
Q: Hey Ryan. Thanks for chatting us up today. First off, you have a history in industrial printing, is that true, and is this how you got started creating your own work? When did you get your start?
A: It's true, I first saw screen printing at the sign company I worked at, I began messing with my own prints in 2006 after work, sold my first 30 prints on eBay.
Q: You have exhibited work all over, do you have a super memorable experience, perhaps something very abnormal, in putting up a show that you can tell us about?
A: Japan is always nuts, the attendants are quiet and the mood is surreal compared to anywhere else I've shown, I did read that silence means respect and so it wasn't disheartening.
Got Solo?
Q: Let's talk Star Wars. Han Solo, pop art and culture...what is it all about? What makes you and so many artists, collectors, geeks so goo-goo for this flick, so long ago and far away?
A: Star Wars is a hard hitting life shaping experience, for a child. I remember the first time I saw the original trilogy, it was over two evenings with my uncle (who used to babysit me) I was about 6, this would have been 1987. The hype for the films had dies down, toys where no longer in shops but I was given my uncles hand me downs (what was left after he burnt most !).
It's the perfect story, heroes, villains, swords, guns, explosions, princess, aliens, space, terrains, ghosts, myths, good, evil, love, family, war, bounty hunters and spaceships!!!
Q: Is there any difference between RYCA and Ryan Callanan in terms of creative output? Do you even understand the question?
A: Yes it's like a split personality. Ryca is all about movies, mash ups and humour. Ryan Callanan is more about serious art, pop art and contemporary ideas presented in a different way.
Reservoir Troopers
Q: Any favorite mashups of note for you?
A: Reservoir Troopers is still the one I look back to as one of the most satisfying , the amount of times it's been sold, parodied and bootlegged is a testament to that idea.
Q: How about faves by other like-minded artists in the world of mashup kitbash art bootlegs out there?
A: Gay empire by Sucklord, Lonely TK Warriors by 3A, wrestling Bounty Hunters by Healey, Eazy He by Trap Toys.
Q: With the release of your trio set for The Prodigy - how did that all come together?
A: Liam Howlett had bought some of my work, we have a mutual friend and he connected us a few years later and I pitched the idea of a toy set....
Q: Regarding production, other than the set mentioned above that will reach a much larger music-based audience, do you have anything to say about exclusivity/collectible value of your carded resin figures.
A: I make all kinds edition sizes, it's a hard one to judge sometimes, I get it wrong sometimes, I like the idea of colourways so popular pieces can reappear again for people who missed out.
Q: What has been the most risky art project you've undertaken and how did it push your boundaries (or buttons)?
A: I guess anything that touches on religion can be risky? But I'm trying to use symbols and icons from popular culture in my work- crossing them over with other symbols , I see what I do as visual mathematics I guess.
Q: How do your toy figures generally evolve in terms of design, from start to finish?
A: Not really, once I happy with the sculpt or kitbash I make a mould, this acts as the next chapter for me, I can move on knowing I've committed to it and yes as with everything, I see things I wish I'd changed but there has to be a cut off, learning this discipline was the most important thing in all my art work.
Cross Section Droid (2017)
Q: How would you describe your personal style to a stranger?
A: Pop art mixed with urban art, a large spoonful of nostalgia, sprinkles of humour and satire.
Q: Have you experimented with various types of materials when molding, sculpting, pouring, 3-d printing? Any weird results?
A: All sorts, I'm a traditionalist, I've only used 3d printing to make myself as a figure so far... in terms of resin, I've tried GoId pigments, UV reactive, opaque colours, clear tints and a lot of chrome plating, I also have done 23ct gilding which is really nice.
Q: The smiling happy face is a repeating theme in your work, an interesting nod to the 60s/70s. Given the obvious in our changing times, and with all irony aside, what drew you to this as a reference point?
A: For the British it is a more recent motif. It optimises the "acid house" music movement of the late 1980's and into the 90's. I got into dance music in my teens and started collecting vinyl in 1999/2000 , I have over 5000 12" singles from mainly UK dance genres such as acid house, hardcore, jungle , drum and bass , garage and dubstep. I get fanatical about things and love finding the roots or origins, this lead me back to acid house and how pivotal in what for the UK.
Self Portrait - chrome plated 6" resin (top)
Q: Does music influence your work and if so how?
A: Music is major, I listened to a lot of hip hop just before I got hooked on dance music and going out in London, so what I believe is the golden era of rap - 1990-1997, NWA, Nas, Wu-tang, Cypress Hill, Biggie, 2-pac, Big Pun, Jay Z, Puffy, DMX, Ruff Riders, Snoop, Bone Thugs, Mobb Deep, so many !! I can go on and on!
I listen to a lot of different styles now in contemporary music, however I defintely listen to old hip hop more than I do anything else ....
Q: Are you a full time career artist or do you have another job that pays the bills?
A: Art pays the bills , I'm set up as a company so it's more legit and formal than I ever anticipated.
Q: What are you working on in the studio right now?
A: I'm working on all sorts , my Instagram is usually a good insight (@ryca_artist)
"Innuendo" (2017)
Q: Anything else going on that the good people out there should know about in your world?
A: I'm working on a snes type control pad sculpture.....I'm gonna be doing a London show towards the end of the year ....
Heads of Evil (2017)
Q: Will there be others you can mention, title or location?
A: Star Wars Celebration with Toy Tokyo, ToyCon U.K. 29-30th April, 5 Points Festival with Clutter (May), SDCC with DKE Toys (launching Art Trooper 3 - Keith Haring).
