
Ria works in two dimensions using paint, print and collage to create radical and inspirational slogans about identity. She has also recently branched out into creating electronic music.
Ria was one of the contributing artists in the Hidden Art / Hidden Artists exhibition. She created a three part work which is hidden from the audiences view inside boxes. The work is accessed by looking through peepholes with a torch. The three boxes are called ‘Horrific’, ‘Escaping the Life of Torture’ and ‘The Dream is in the Hospital’. They express Ria’s frustration that, while the old model of lifelong in-patient hospital support for people with disabilities has gone, she can still feel trapped in the invisible boxes of the care system.
Ria created an iconic large scale artwork she called ‘Graffiti Man’ which was turned into a postcard and poster to mark the joint 30th and 110th birthdays of Pyramid and Swarthmore Education Centre. They are for sale from our shop by clicking here, or can be purchased from reception at Swarthmore.
She has exhibited at Leeds Town Hall as part of the BEYOND Festival and at Brickworks in Bradford.
Ria is a big part of Pyramid, working in a Development Team, as a member of our YoYos Group and supporting the leadership of the organisation in our Members’ Council.
Music
Ria has been involved in the following projects:
Solo
Hidden Art / Hidden Artists at The Tetley, Leeds, November 2019 – July 2020. For more information, click here.
BEYOND Publication Launch at Archive, Leeds, October 2019
‘Life bloody needs Art’ at Brick Box Rooms, Bradford, August 2019
Arts & Minds Annual exhibition at St Johns Centre, Leeds, June 2019
‘No one is you and that is your power’ at Swarthmore, Leeds, March 2019
Excessive Human Collective exhibition at Wharf Chambers, Leeds, January 2019
Solo exhibition at Leeds Town Hall & Studio 24, Beyond Festival 2018, June 2018
Publications
Contribution to BEYOND Artists with Learning Disability taking the Lead, 2019
YoYos
Ultimate Thunder UV installation designed backdrop for Ultimate Thunder gig at Wharf Chambers, 2019
Pyramid30 exhibition at Archive, October 2019. For more information, click here.
Flock of Sheep adapted bicycle performance, Tour De Yorkshire on Millennium Square, Leeds, May 2019
Multiples Installation at Central Library for Leeds Light Night 2018. For more information, click here.