Drawn to the woodcuts prints of late 19th century Edvard Munch (the artist best known for ‘The Scream’), Japanese artist Shiko Munakata and the work of William Blake, John Ryrie establishes himself as an adept storyteller through the medium of printmaking. In ‘Bibliomania’, Ryrie creates a sharp, humorous ode to the passionate collectors of books.

The print is a chaotic, immersive visual experience where two figures, a man in glasses and a woman with braided hair, are submerged in an overflowing avalanche of volumes. The duo are simultaneously trapped and content, clutching and reading their books even while buried. ‘Bibliomania’ effectively translates the claustrophobic environment of densely stacked books in a visually commanding and satirical portrait of the collector’s mind; where the line between passion and pathology is delightfully blurred.

Ryrie is an esteemed printmaker. He was awarded the Grand Prize in the Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints and a finalist in the Geelong acquisitive print awards, and is represented at the National Gallery of Australia. ‘Bibliomania’ is an intellectually humorous work for lovers of culture and modern satire, the perfect statement piece for the collection of any bibliophile — elevating the collector’s obsession to high art.

John RYRIE (1961 - )
'Bibliomania' 2018
linocut on paper
Edition of 18
Image Size: 30 x 30 cm
Dimensions: 53 x 50 cm
Signed: Editioned, titled, signed 'John Ryrie' and dated in margin
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Excellent

(c) John Ryrie / Copyright Agency