Ryan Wilson Kelly

Ryan Wilson Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Art at Western Washington University (WWU), specializing in Ceramics and Foundations. He holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from The Ohio State University. Prior to WWU, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ohio State and was a resident artist at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, where he curated exhibits and received the Independence Foundation Fellowship. His work explores themes of American mythology, historical inaccuracies, and material culture through ceramics, performance, and video installations. Notable projects include the 'Anxious Assembly' exhibition at The Clay Studio, which critiqued pandemic-era anxieties through ceramic busts inspired by 18th-century Toby Jugs. Kelly also collaborates in interdisciplinary projects, including dance/theater credits in Isabella Rossellini’s 'Green Porno' series.

Education:

• BFA in Ceramics, Kansas City Art Institute
• MFA in Art, The Ohio State University

Research Interests:
His practice bridges historical artifacts and contemporary socio-political commentary. He investigates how myths and material culture shape cultural narratives, often using humor and irony to highlight societal tensions. His ceramic works frequently reference historical forms while reflecting modern anxieties, as seen in his 'Anxious Assembly' series.

Awards:

• Independence Foundation Fellowship

Labs/Teams:
Previously co-curator at Practice Gallery in Philadelphia and collaborator with interdisciplinary performance groups.