Ryley weaves together cinematic, affective, and experimental narratives. Illuminating stories of the lived experience, his practice shines light on phenomena that shapes the human condition. Through his storytelling, Ryley examines the spirit of our existence, seeking to interpret a way of life that surrounds us. Using the camera to mediate, comprehend and to draw closer, he engages with the world through a personal and lyrical documentary lens. In his practice, he delves into the relationship between photography and cinema to examine the emotionality and relational forms of life, society, and the human experience.
Ryley’s latest projects focus on the experiences of growing up in a dystopian society and the journey of restoring and leaving behind a childhood home. His work grapples with themes of coming of age, dystopian futures, environment, the search for self-identity and familial spaces.
In 2023, Ryley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Photography) (Honours) from RMIT University. His work has been exhibited at RMIT’s First Site Gallery, Head-On Photography Festival, and the Centre for Contemporary Photography. He has published his work in the British Journal of Photography, Photo Collective and GUP magazines’ international talent call, Fresh Eyes. Ryley’s photographs has been recognised in multiple awards. He is the recipient of the Baillot & Balfour Endowment Award and the People’s Choice Award for the Geelong 2024 Photographic Portrait Prize.
Ryley ClarkE is an merging ArtiSt, phtgrapher AND ilmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia.
Education
2023
RMIT University - Bachelor of Arts (Photography) Honours) - First Class Honours
Solo Exhibitions
Off the Well Worn Path, First Site Gallery
2023
2023
Off the Well Worn Path, FortyFiveDownstairs
2023
Off the Well Worn Path, Head On Photography Festival
2025
From Somewhere Behind the Pine Trees, Liminal Gallery
Group Exhibitions
Hillvale Photo Trophy, Hillvale Gallery
2023
Iris Award, Perth Centre for Photography
2023
Australian Photography Awards, Bodriggy Brewery
Bluethumb 2023 Art Prize, Bluethumb Gallery
2023
2023
Der Grief Past and Present 15th Anniversary, Pavilion 333
2023
Centre for Contemporary Photography 2023 Summer Salon
2023
RMIT 2023 School of Art Graduate Exhibition: Fine Art & Photography Honours
Ballarat International Foto Bienale 2023 GRADFOTO
2023
2023
Geelong 2024 Photographic Portrait Prize, Liminal Gallery
2024
Yellow Dot Fundraiser Exhibition, RACV City Club
Clyde & Co Art Award, Clyde and Co
2024
2024
Be-longing, Merri-bek Summer Showcase, Counihan Gallery
2024
Cinematic Pictures, Millepiani Gallery
2025
A1 Darebin Art Salon, Bundoora Homestead Gallery
GUP x Fresh Eyes Showcase, Haute Photographie
2025
2025
Olive Cotton Award, Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
2025
Assembly, Jacky Winter Gallery
2025
Awards & Recognitions
Hillvale 2023 Photo Trophy (Finalist)
2023
Iris Award 2023 (Finalist)
2023
ProfiFoto New Talent Award 23/2 (Finalist)
Australian Photography Awards 2023 (Finalist)
2023
2023
Bluethumb 2023 Art Prize Photography Award (Finalist)
2023
Ballarat International Foto Bienalle 2023 GRADFOTO (Finalist)
2023
CCP x Media Arts Lawyers Prize for Best Music Photography (Recipient)
RMIT Photography Honours Lightscapes Award for Outstanding Folio (Recipient)
2023
2023
Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award (Nomination)
2024
Geelong 2024 Photographic Portrait Prize (Recipient - People Choice Award)
Clyde & Co Art Award (Finalist)
2024
2024
Fresh Eyes (Finalist)
2025
A1 Darebin Art Salon, Bundoora Homestead Gallery (Finalist)
2025
Olive Cotton Award (Finalist)
Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize (Finalist)
2025
2025
Publications
PhotoCollective Magazine Issue 003
2023
Pomegranate Press x Balam Playfulness Edition
CCP x Melbourne Milieu Edition 16
2023
2023
The British Journal of Photography, The Portrait Issue
2025
Fresh Eyes 2025 Edition Volume 1
2025
Projects and Collaborations
As Memories & Time Entwine, A Hanging Branch Connects Us
2023
Off the Well Worn Path
2023
From Somewhere Behind the Pine Trees
Dark Signs of a Red Summer’s Shadow
2025
2025
Client List
2025
URBNSURF, Abbotsford Convent, UNIFIED Music Group, BOOM! Image Studio, Savage Thrills, Yours and Owls Records, Red Hill Entertainment, Konsu Agency, The Music, and more…
Forthcoming
Olive Cotton Award, Tweed Regional Gallery
2025
Assembly, Jacky Winter Gallery
2025