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Ryan Hewett

South AfricanSouth African
, b. 1979

Hewett's art seamlessly weaves structured forms and vibrant, psychedelic colors, evoking the spirit of Cubist portraits and Surrealist landscapes. Meanwhile, his full-body portraits evoke the imagery of Renaissance medical diagrams, giving his work a unique and multifaceted appeal. Esteemed writer and art critic Edward Lucie-Smith aptly describes Hewett's creations as "extraordinary apparitions that manifest on the painted canvas, simultaneously present and elusive. The dynamic brushwork both unveils and conceals them." Lucie-Smith goes on to acclaim Hewett as "one of South Africa's preeminent contemporary painters, inviting us to immerse ourselves in his art through the act of observation." Hewett's artistic journey has seen a fascinating evolution. He has transitioned from meticulous pencil drawings to expressive portraiture and, most recently, to sweeping landscapes. This progression demonstrates Hewett's mastery of his craft, emphasizing the tactile quality of his artworks, where textured, impasto paint coexists with smooth, geometric expanses. Notably, Hewett relies on the fluid interplay of memory and imagination to bring his creations to life. He approaches his canvases with an open mind, allowing his works to take shape organically. Both in his portraiture and landscapes, Hewett transcends mere representation, delving into the realm of abstraction to capture the essence of emotions and atmospheres.