Sydney-based jeweller Holly Ryan has emerged as one of Australia’s most promising and popular young creatives over the past eight years. Since launching her jewellery label straight out of uni in 2011, Holly’s simple, classic designs have adorned the ears, wrists, and necks of stylish people across the globe. More recently, Holly has expanded the scope of her work to include a blossoming sculpture practice, exploring shape and movement in her hand-carved abstract faces and forms.

Holly’s art practice has allowed her to react against the conforms of fashion, the industry she’s been part of for her entire career. ‘There is also a level of escapism to my work, which comes from working within the constraints of fashion’s beauty standards for more than 10 years,’ the artist explains, ‘I guess I am rejecting some of those notions now’.

A nod to Henri Matisse is clear, fusing the principles of modern sculpture with Holly’s fluid, contemporary style that is rooted in the natural world. After hosting her debut solo exhibition at Jerico Contemporary and inclusion in the gallery’s booth at the 2018 Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Exhale is Holly’s second solo show.

Exhale by Holly Ryan
February 13th-March 9th 
Jerico Contemporary
Wednesday-Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturday, 10am-4pm
94 Cathedral Street 
Woolloomooloo
New South Wales