Ryan Adams

My ‘gem’ style of work was developed through the study of letterforms and geometric abstraction. I often incorporate shadows and highlights to add dimensionality, depth and movement throughout the pieces. The backbone of the work is lettering, so this affords the opportunity to directly convey a statement or saying within the piece that is camouflaged within the bending and intertwining geometric shapes. I often try to take that opportunity to express a thought or bit of knowledge that draws from lessons learned from a diverse array of life experiences. The fact that there is a statement masked within the piece adds a layer to the viewing experience in which the audience becomes directly involved in trying to decipher the message within the piece. This interactive and immersive viewing experience is shared with the Cubist and American Graffiti movements that heavily influence this style of work. The duality of the work, being viewed as a geometric abstraction while also including a direct statement, is exhibited in the naming of the ‘gem’ style. It alludes to the dimensional shapes reflecting the look of natural gemstones and alludes to the slang term of ‘gems’ meaning an important piece of knowledge handed down through a witty statement. 

For the pieces installed at the Hamel Honors and Scholars College, I wanted to create spaces that were able to speak to each other, but also stood alone and enhanced the existing space. For the stairwell, I wrapped the entire room in a gem-style design, beginning at the landing and continuing around all of the walls on the next floor. As to guide the viewer up and around the stairs. The worlds ‘Dare To Know’ are embedded within the wall going up the stairs, followed by the school logo at the top of the stairs, and finally tapering the piece off with a hand-lettered ‘HONORS’ filled with the continuing gem design. With the statement and logo embedded within, I hope that the viewer is able to experience a few levels of interaction with the piece and enjoy it for years to come. 

For the recessed reading/study space, we wanted it to feel like a big, bright burst of sunshine that warms and welcomes students. I designed the piece to feel as if it was emanating from the beautiful window centered on the far wall, and worked the pallette around the existing furniture and amount of natural light the space provides.