“Better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”
An ancient proverb that rings true even in modern times, the words are a testament to maintaining peace while also being prepared to protect that peace when necessary. It is an existential duality that we all grapple with. Conflict is not to be glorified or normalized yet it is an ever present aspect of the human condition that must be acknowledged and unpacked. There are those of us who do not prefer war but there are often times when one does not have a choice.
Shine Your Light For The World To See (UMI Say), 2016.
Warriors in the Garden, a solo exhibition by Ryan Davis, is a thoughtful reminder of the aforementioned juxtaposition. Featuring a series of paintings and collages, the work attempts to get to the root of sustainability and maintaining a beneficial balance that keeps us healthy and well–even in the face of momentary obstacles. Davis feels a sense of responsibility through his pieces. In fact, the ripple of his work does not stop short of the human condition. It resonates even further within the confines of our cultural canon. Davis has left us nurturing instructions that enables us to bridge the gap between the old world and the contemporary now. Teetering between academia and otherworldliness, Warriors in the Garden, is a love letter to our lineage.
In whole, Davis is journeying with his work and is an artist who is now ready to welcome us to journey alongside him. Together we will unlearn, relearn, let go and let in. We will unlock our inner magic and embrace our unknown unknowns.
Opening Reception | August 25th 2022 | 6-9 P.M.
The Yard Flatiron South | 234 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001
Quiet Lunch is a grassroot online publication that seeks to promote various aspects of life and culture with a loving, but brute, educational tinge. When we say, “Creative Sustenance Daily,” we mean it.