Ryan Joseph McGinness (born January 9, 1972[1]) is an American artist, living and working in
Manhattan, New York. Known for his original extensive vocabulary of graphic drawings which use the visual language of public signage, corporate logos, and contemporary iconography, McGinness creates paintings, sculptures, and environments. McGinness is interested in assuming the power of this anonymous aesthetic in order to share personal expressions. His work is in the permanent public collections of the
Museum of Modern Art,
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego,
Cincinnati Art Museum,
MUSAC in Spain, and the Misumi Collection in Japan.
Early life and upbringing
McGinness grew up in the surf and skate culture of Virginia Beach, Virginia, an influence that is visible in much of his work.[2] He then studied graphic design and fine art at
Carnegie Mellon University in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an Andrew Carnegie Scholar.[citation needed] During college, he interned at the
Andy Warhol Museum as a curatorial assistant.[3]