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 has established himself as an adept storyteller through the medium of printmaking. In ‘Midas’ Secret’, he captures a fateful event from the life of Midas, a figure in Greek mythology.

Midas, cursed by Apollo after a foolish musical contest judgement, is given donkey ears. He hides these ears beneath hats and turbans, only confiding in his barber who leaks the secret to the whispering reeds. This is the moment captured by Ryrie – the barber digging a hole to bury Midas’s embarrassment in. But the truth cannot be suppressed and reality escapes.

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. For collectors of contemporary prints and visual storytelling, this miniature work – packed with meaning and detail – is a wonderful find for you or the foolish king in your life.

John RYRIE (1961 - )
'Midas' Secret' 2003
etching on paper
Edition of 40
Image Size: 4 x 4 cm
Dimensions: 26 x 21 cm
Signed: Signed 'John Ryrie', editioned, titled, dated under image
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition:Very good.
(c) John Ryrie / Copyright Agency