Ryan Perez

Ryan Perez is an Associate Professor in the Fine Art and Integrated Studies departments at ArtCenter College of Design. His artistic and academic work centers on photography as a means to interrogate identity, landscape, memory, and socio-political structures. Born in Oceanside, CA in 1982, Perez draws from his Filipino-Mexican-American heritage and upbringing in the Inland Empire to inform a practice that challenges truth claims and embraces ambiguity and possibility.

His research interests lie at the intersection of visual art, cultural theory, and experimental media. Perez uses photography not to capture truth, but to explore meaning through spatial and temporal dislocations. His work engages with themes of colonialism, capitalism, war, and spiritual inquiry, often through layered installations that combine archival photographs, video, and sculptural elements. He emphasizes collaboration, conversation, and the in-betweenness of cultural identity as generative forces in art-making.

The recent body of work reflected in his publications shows a consistent trajectory in conceptual photography and multimedia installations. These works explore personal and collective memory, consumer culture, celebrity, and the aesthetics of neglect. The recurring use of archival materials, serial formats, and found objects underscores a critical engagement with visual culture and the politics of representation. His exhibitions span major institutions like LACMA, UC Riverside, C24 Gallery, and Yautepec Gallery in Mexico City, demonstrating national and international recognition.

Ryan Perez is actively contributing to contemporary art discourse through his creative output and pedagogy. He teaches foundational and advanced courses in photography, design, and art theory, shaping the next generation of visual artists. His studio is based in Monrovia, CA, and his work continues to evolve through ongoing projects such as The Music Box and The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.