Ceramic Sculpture by Ryo Toyonaga, 2002

Ryo Toyonaga was born in Matsuyama, Japan, in 1960 and earned his BA in psychology from the National University of Shinshu. He moved to New York City in 1986 and began creating works that appeared to emerge from the earth itself, perhaps from the depths of the ocean or recesses deep in forgotten mines. During the 1990s, Toyonaga worked exclusively in clay. As the organic energy flowed and changed within his imagination, Toyonaga expanded his vocabulary of expression and materials, including the introduction of red wax in 2002 and bronze and aluminum casting in 2004. With an interest in increasing the size and stance of his works, Toyonaga began exploring large-scale papier-mâché in 2005. Following his solo show of sculpture at the Charles Cowles Gallery in 2005, his artistic interest shifted to drawing. At his second solo show at the Charles Cowles Gallery in 2009, he exclusively showed drawings. SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS "Awakening," Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR, October, 2014 - January, 2015 "Mindscapes," Sidney Mishkin Gallery, NYC, May-June, 2013 "Organic Stoneware," LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NY, May-October, 2010 "Drawings, 2008-9," Charles Cowles Gallery, NYC, April, 2009 "Mephistophelean," The Vilcek Foundation Gallery, NYC, March , 2009 "Sculptures in Clay, Metal and Mixed Media," Charles Cowles Gallery, NYC, May, 2006