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 ‘Rooster & Jewel’, Ryrie revives an excerpt from the ancient Greek mythos Aesop’s Fables in his iconic linocut style. The fable tells of a rooster who stumbles upon a precious jewel in his search for food for himself and his family. The rooster proclaims that he would rather have a “single barley-corn than a peck of pearls” - as precious things are without value to those who cannot prize them. Ryrie’s adoption of this classic fable continues an enduring tradition of artists who took interest in the cultures of ancient civilisations.

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. Much like Aesop himself, Ryrie bears the gift of storytelling. In this work, Ryrie provides collectors with the unique opportunity to become the next custodian of this ancient fable - who will tell this story next?

John RYRIE (1961 - )
'Rooster & Jewel' 2008
linocut on paper
Edition of 40
Image Size: 23 x 39 cm
Dimensions: 43 x 57 cm
Signed: Signed 'John Ryrie', editioned, titled, dated lower margin

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Embossed by Chrysalis Publishing lower right corner.

Condition:Excellent:

(c) John Ryrie / Copyright Agency