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Oscar O'Ryan  |  Visual Artist

Drawing inspiration from the kinetic potential of the human body.

OSCAR O’RYAN (b. 1978, South Africa) is an award winning cinematographer, photographer, visual artist, and filmmaker known for his striking visual narratives and innovative approach to storytelling.

With an unwavering passion for cinematic expression, Oscar crafts compelling imagery that transcends the ordinary, capturing powerful moments across Africa and beyond. His keen eye for detail and artistic sensibility bring depth and emotion to his work, whether in film, photography, or immersive video installations.

Beyond his commercial and commissioned projects, Oscar is deeply invested in personal explorations of visual storytelling. 

Through thought-provoking photo reportage and experimental video art, he delves into the complexities of human experience, creating work that resonates on an intimate and universal level.

 

Oscar is the recipient of the 2023 Artist Award at POOL Movement Art Festival Berlin (Germany); and awards include Best Film Award at Denton Black Film Awards, USA, Best Film Award at Under The Dome Festival; and Best International Shorts, Berlin Shorts Film Festival 2024.

As the co-founder of Darkroom Contemporary, an internationally recognised and award-winning contemporary dance company, Oscar merges his expertise in visual media with the dynamic language of movement. This collaboration continuously pushes creative boundaries, resulting in evocative works that engage and inspire audiences worldwide.

Awards 

2022

Artist Award, Not from here - POOL Dance Film Festival, BERLIN

2022

Jury Award, Runner up, Best Screendance, Des/Aria - Denton Black Film Festival, TEXAS

2019

Best Film, WPED - Under the Dome Festival,

SOUTH AFRICA

2018

Top Three Jury Award, The Forgotten - Danceador Film Festival, USA

Commissioned Photography Projects

2022

Not from here, Brutal Curation, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

2022

sfiftingsands/\sandsshifting, Brutal Curation, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

2019

STAGED, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

2017

Traffic, Burgan Cape Terminals and Gulfstream Energy - VISUAL ARTIST

2015

Adagio for a Hacked Life, Scenkonst Sormland, Sweden - VISUAL ARTIST

2015

Access me, Youngblood Gallery, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

2014

2013

Struck Silent, Scenekost Sormland, Sweden - VISUAL ARTIST

I hit the ground running, Scenkost Sormland & Baxter Theatre - Visual Artist - VISUAL ARTIST

2015

MOTION II, Youngblood Gallery, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

2014

The MOTION Project, Let there be light Gallery, Cape Town - VISUAL ARTIST

Recent Exhibitions & Curated Arts Festivals

2022

Not from here - Brutal Curation. Cape Town, SA

2022

2021

Des/Aria - Denton Black Film Festival. Texas, USA

sfiftingsands/\sandsshifting - Brutal Curation. Cape Town, SA

kartographi - public & digital art project. Cape Town, SA

Memoryhouse - Kucheza Afrika Festival. Cape Town, SA

2020

OM - Vrystaat Kunstefees. Bloemfontein, SA

META | morph - Creativate at Visual National Arts Festival of South Africa

GIVE/TAKE The Act of Erasure at Video Art Miden (Greece), Dance days (Crete),

vlek (USA)

LACUNA - Ubunmuntu Festival. Kigali, RWANDA

2019

GIVE/TAKE The Act of Erasure - Gallery Momo. Cape Town, SA

WRPD - Under the Dome Festival of Immersive Films, Isiko Museums. Cape Town, SA

LACUNA -Antidote Festival. NETHERLANDS

The Forgotten - 40 North Festival. California, USA

Contact Me

+27 84 659 4519

Thanks for submitting!

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