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, phtgrapher 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