Embracing the Unpredictable: A Conversation with Ryan M. Steuerman, BFA ‘24
In the restless halls of a New York City elementary school, a young Ryan Steuerman unveiled his very first masterpiece to an eager audience of adults and children. At 8 years old, his vibrant painting of many colors adorned the school gallery wall, casting a spell of wonder and contagious smiles across the room. Little did Ryan know this moment would mark the inception of a lifelong love affair with the arts. Fast forward to the present day, and Ryan stands proudly as a graduate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA). As he reflects on the winding path that brought him here, one mantra resonates loud and clear: embrace the unpredictable.
One of the main reasons Ryan chose SMFA is because of its unique approach to artistic education. Unlike traditional art schools, SMFA has no majors, providing students with the freedom to explore a diverse range of mediums and techniques. Of course, Ryan was no stranger to artistic expression and remained eager to recreate the “emotional” and “visceral” feelings he experienced when he showed his work on his school walls during his formative years. “It’s [that feeling] when everything I prescribe to the work is completely erased once I allowed other people to see it. [The work] could mean something to me, but I am so much more interested in what it means to other people.” Ryan loved the multitude of conversations that a piece could evoke. So, he carried that love with him to SMFA in 2020 as a first-year student.
Compelled by the rich tapestry of art history and guided by the techniques of art scholars like Mark Rothko, Vivan Suter and Helen Frankenthaler, Ryan embraced this freedom wholeheartedly. He explored many artistic expressions with unbridled enthusiasm. “To be a well-rounded artist, you have to have experience in different ways of making,” he asserts. One of Ryan's most distinctive artistic rituals involves experimenting with acrylic paint on unstretched wet canvas. Drawing inspiration from work like that of Loren Erdrich, Ryan honed his ability to blend colors and forms, creating compositions that leveraged the test of time. A typical day in his studio at SMFA begins in the early morning hours. In these moments of stillness, Ryan finds solace, engaging in grounding activities to center himself before delving into his work. He sets the stage with instrumental melodies, creating a space where inspiration flows freely. Each canvas becomes “a blank slate” for imagination to roam. Ryan often surrenders to the chaos, splattering paint and pouring water with diligent repetition. Crawling across the floor, he loses himself in color and emotion. “I love seeing what [the piece] becomes when it's done but, really, I do this as a process of selfcare for me.” In one sitting, Ryan finds balance within himself by granting the piece a sense of agency of its own.
Ryan's current body of work, stemming from Professor Michael MacMahon's Color and Critical Inquiry course and Lecturer Eva Lundsager's Advanced Painting Seminar, began with spontaneous, intuitive painting. In the thick of it, Ryan produced a shape that seemed to resonate in a way that transcended explanation. The shape, a kind of organic spine-like form, became an obsession that quickly opened experimental painting for Ryan. As his emotions spill onto the work, it infuses with the colors, satisfying the “high element of risk” that comes with the wet-on-wet technique. “That space for change is what makes painting feel immersive to me,” he reflects. For Ryan, the allure lies in the concept of unpredictability, of relinquishing control and allowing the creative process to unfold organically. Unlike some artists who strive for meticulous control over every brushstroke, Ryan finds liberation in the idea of not being in control of the final result. He revels in the ambiguity of interpretation, welcoming the diverse perspectives and reactions of viewers to his art.
As Ryan looks towards life after graduation, he is eager to carry his philosophy of embracing the unpredictable into the world beyond the institution. While his ultimate dream is to become a working artist, displaying his work in galleries and museums, Ryan is also excited about the prospect of engaging with communities outside the confines of academia. Whether through public installations, community workshops, or collaborative projects, he envisions a future where his art serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and connection. Prepared to welcome all elements of change and opportunity, he carries his drive to create close to his heart. Echoing the wisdom of painter Agnes Martin, Ryan believes, "Art is a representation of our devotion to life." With this belief, he stands ready to make his mark, one stroke of unpredictability at a time.
