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