Contemporary artists today play an integral role in culture and society. Apart from contributing to the creative sphere, artists can also be thought leaders who share valuable insight into critical social issues. One such artist is the award-winning expressionist artist, Ric Conn.
Ric Conn is internationally known and primarily focuses on symbolic depictions of women’s challenges and issues nowadays in Western culture. He uses his art to speak for women’s rights and against the adverse actions taken against them.
A leading voice in the realm of inequality, Ric hopes that his work would spark positive social change when it comes to women’s rights. He also uses his art to advocate for other important social movements such as empowerment and mental health. “I believe in equality and empowerment, and I want my work to reflect that,” shares Ric. “The stories in my paintings are situations that can happen to anyone. I attempt to show equality because the stories can, and sometimes have, happened to me as well.”
Although mostly self-taught, Ric Conn’s art foundation comes from exposure in the Corcoran College of Art in Washington D.C. and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Many art enthusiasts have described the artist’s work as unconventional and fresh. With his work, Ric looks to create a “new avant-garde.” His mediums of choice include oil, acrylics, gouache, charcoal, and ink to create various compositions and textures. Ric is best known for his works in the figurative art and modern expressionism genres of fine arts.
Ric draws from the traditional and contemporary. His work exhibits a bold texture and highly-calculated use of light to bring subjects to life. The expressionist artist constantly explores the contrasting natures of reality and abstract perception. Ric Conn’s inspirations include artists like Toulouse-Lautrec, Edvard Munch, Picasso, Matisse, and the German Expressionists.
Not only is Ric’s work highly inspired, but it is also internationally renowned and awarded. Rich has received various awards from the Art Tour International Magazine, including Top 60 Master of Contemporary Art for 2020, Artist of the Decade, Artivist of the Year for artists dedicated to Human Rights in 2019 and 2020. Ric Conn has also appeared on summer, autumn, and winter issues in the publication Art Tour International magazine and was the back cover of one. He’s also the winner of the Face of the Queen Anne’s County medal. Ric has also appeared in various publications, including Art in America’s issue on galleries and artists in America. Many local and network television programs have also interviewed the artist.
In his career as a fine artist, Ric has put up multiple solo, and group shows all across the country. He’s had exhibits in Baltimore, Columbia, Annapolis, Frederick, Stevensville, and Centreville, MD; Washington, DC; Manhattan and Chelsea, New York City. His works have also entered many private collections in several states and also reached as far as Australia.
When Ric isn’t busy working on his latest masterpiece, he teaches in painting and drawing workshops in various schools and art councils. He also offers private lessons in his studio.
In the many years to come, Ric hopes to continue being a voice for all the oppressed women in the world through his award-winning talent and work. His work inspires many and sparked many conversations that lead to more progressive reforms and positive change.
Ric Conn’s works are exhibited at The Grimandi Art Gallery in New York, who represents the world-renowned artist. Most recently, he received the ARTYA (Artivist of the Year Award) from ArtTour International Magazine for his commitment to bringing social awareness. To learn more about Ric, visit his website, Instagram account, and Facebook page.
