Ryan Hewett
Ryan Hewett has been described as one of South Africa’s ‘most distinguished artists’ by Art Net and his sell out shows in London are testament to his reputation with collectors and curators.
Hewett began his career drawing with pencil, eventually graduating from draughtsmanship to oils and developing a highly expressive style with sculptural and textured surface. The heavy impasto can appear modeled rather than brushed and Hewett works with both brush and palette knife, layering and scraping back, describing the face and body of his sitter in terms of shape and structure.
His paintings are notable for their flesh tones, and are thick with florid reds and lead white. He works impulsively, without a preliminary sketch or charcoal, beginning by applying paint directly to the surface and working quickly for fear of the oil drying. The result of this style of working is an abstracted and dynamic portrait with great presence and vitality.
Ryan Hewett’s work can be found in private collections internationally, including collections in South Africa, Dubai, Los Angeles, Zurich, Miami, London, New York and Riyadh.
