Ryan Standfest

Ryan Standfest serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Art within Oakland University's Department of Art, Art History and Design, located in West Wilson Hall. His practice bridges artistic creation, publishing, and critical writing.

His research interests span printmaking, comics studies, and Detroit's cultural landscape, informed by his working-class roots in Detroit and Michigan's copper mining communities. Standfest examines post-industrial economies through multi-disciplinary work including murals like Supply & Demand on Michigan Avenue, satirical illustrations, and acrylic paintings on wood panels.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent engagement with political art, comics history, and Detroit's creative ecosystem. His writing appears in Art In America, Hyperallergic, and The Comics Journal, demonstrating expertise in visual culture critique and historical analysis.

As founder of Rotland Press, Standfest has edited significant works including David Lynch's comic strips and Sue Coe's political prints, earning recognition in major art publications. His monograph published by Simone DeSousa Gallery (now Matéria) in 2020 represents a key scholarly contribution.

Standfest holds an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Iowa and a BFA in Printmaking/Drawing from Wayne State University, grounding his practice in technical mastery while addressing contemporary socio-economic themes through artistic and editorial channels.