‘Artist’: an all-encompassing term that wraps many a discipline up in a cultural blanket of human expression and progress. Occasionally, an individual emerges that blurs the lines between these disciplines, breathing narrative into visual art and illustration into the twists and turns of fictional writing. Ryder is one such artist.

In 2002, the world famous Pompidou Centre in Paris devoted a headline exhibition not to an artist but a to literary critic, and that critic was Roland Barthes. For the purposes of penetrating the veneer of mystique around Ryder, we must take as our reference text Barthes’ critical essay entitled ‘Death of the Author’. In it, Barthes surmises that one must disengage with the author to appreciate text in its truest form. In essence, he asserts that we as an audience have subjectivity imposed upon us – that our knowledge of an author, painter or poet ultimately colours our opinion of, and attitude towards, the piece itself. He urges us to look beyond the constraints of the simple answer, the easy route, and to judge each creation on its own merit.

The more thought one gives to this notion, the more weight Barthes’ argument carries; what a tragedy if one were unable simply to appreciate the beauty of a Van Gogh without searching for signs of madness within its composition. ‘Death of The Author’ promotes empowerment and gives us back control; no dictatorial biography, instead a metaphorical blank canvas for us, the audience, to take charge and form our own opinions. Thus we come to this collection. Ryder is no more, no less than a name on a piece of paper. No artist biography to influence your impressions, no collection overview to police your critique, just the art laid bare. As Barthes stated, “it is language which speaks, not the author” and so we have given Ryder a voice, and allowed the art to do the talking.

Showing 1–9 of 30 results

  • The Last Of The Summer Bloom by Ryder

    £495.00

    The Last Of The Summer Bloom by Ryder
    We don’t always like each other… but we’ll love each other for ever and ever and ever!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A …

  • Our Star by Ryder

    £495.00

    Our Star by Ryder
    We don’t always like each other… but we’ll love each other for ever and ever and ever!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to spend with …

  • Friends Forever by Ryder

    £495.00

    Friends Forever by Ryder
    We don’t always like each other… but we’ll love each other for ever and ever and ever!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to spend with …

  • Mr Foxes Big Race by Ryder

    £375.00

    Mr Foxes Big Race by Ryder
    We don’t always like each other… but we’ll love each other for ever and ever and ever!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to …

  • Over The Moon by Ryder

    £775.00

    Over The Moon by Ryder
    Intriguingly we are given no back-story to Ryder, the epitomist of enchantment, but this gives us the freedom to form our own opinions on this artist’s work without the heavy weight of preconception.  As we

  • Dangerous Liaisons by Ryder

    £795.00

    Dangerous Liaisons by Ryder
    From the wonderful world of imagination this cast resin sculpture of two romantically minded foxes makes their moonlit rendezvous with the golden heart being the symbol of their love
    Intriguingly we are given no back-story to …

  • Warm Hearts and Winter Skies by Ryder

    £595.00£695.00

    Warm Hearts and Winter Skies by Ryder
    Everyone’s far too cosy inside to notice twilight love blossoming amid the frost tonight!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to spend with …

  • Warm Hearts and Winter Skies – Large by Ryder

    £775.00£895.00

    Warm Hearts and Winter Skies – Large by Ryder
    Cold noses make our hearts feel so much warmer!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to spend with loved ones, a …

  • Twilight Lovers by Ryder

    £595.00£695.00

    Twilight Lovers by Ryder
    Everyone’s far too cosy inside to notice twilight love blossoming amid the frost tonight!
    Ryder’s new collection encompasses the warmth of the winter months and not the cold.  A time to spend with loved ones, a …