Setting the pace with ceramicist Ryan Der
Photography by Seung Rok Baek
Perched in a beachside studio overlooking a rugged stretch of coastline, Ryan Der’s practice is shaped as much by the rhythm of the sea as by the rhythm of the wheel. Working with his hands every day, he moves between moments of quiet focus and expansive creative thinking, drawing inspiration from everything from Renaissance sculpture to contemporary activism. Whether reflecting on the awe of seeing Michelangelo’s David for the first time or the simple patience learned from a childhood pasta ornament, his work is grounded in curiosity, craft, and a deep respect for making.
Read below for our Q&A with Ryan.
What piece of art has had the greatest impact on you and why (could be a painting, sculpture, film etc).
In 2001 I took a trip to Europe, and while I was there, I saw Michelangelo’s David…. my mind exploded. For starters, it’s a single piece of marble standing over 5 meters tall and weighing over 5 tonnes. Second of all, it was carved entirely with hand tools… in the 1500s?? The level of detail is absolutely unreal. There are fingernails, veins, every little part of the body captured in marble. The awe has never left me.
Who is your art hero?
It’s really hard to pick an art hero, so many artists in different mediums inspire me in sound, movement, textiles, paint, ceramics… but Ai Weiwei definitely sits high on my list.
Who's your dream creative collaborator?
I feel as though my answer is a little unexpected, as I mean it really literally. I would love to work with the team from the Aman group. They create cultural escapes all across the world, and when I look at their spaces, everything they do is 10/10. To creatively contribute to what they build, in any capacity, would be an honour.
What was the first piece of art you remember making?
A Christmas tree ornament made of pasta for my parents. I can remember cutting out the tree shape out of colored paper and gluing all the macaroni on. Actually dialing in and focusing to put them in a line. One dot of glue and one macaroni. One dot of glue, one macaroni. ‘Cause they had to face the same way as real leaves. Maybe that’s why I find throwing dozens of cups on my wheel so calming. And I think she still puts it on the tree during the holidays.
What is the best part about being an artist? And what is the most challenging?
Both the best and most challenging part is that I work for myself through my art.
It’s a gift to set my own pace each day. Some days are fast and loud and expansive. Some days are still and silent and focused. Some days are simply for just sitting and staring at the sea, and I don’t have to ask anyone's permission.
The challenge is trying to stay chill while navigating the peaks and valleys of business; getting work, finding motivation to create, not overthinking, and releasing self-doubt. I find myself staring at the sea once again.