![](https://sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/11/Rufer_Ryan_headshot_F20.jpg)
BA, Art (Studio Arts – Painting and Drawing)
BA, Architectural Studies
Artist Statement
My work focuses on color and form in architecture or architectural influenced forms. Transforming architecture into an immense sculpture of its own. That occupants can not only feel the exterior, but they can also enter another world on the interior. Transporting them into another place and time if only for a little while. The idea of adding color to architecture to intensify a form or give it other meaning it what I strive to do. Many buildings are neutral and boring creating nothing but a routine headache. If we can add a little kick of color anywhere it will make the world a better place. Most buildings are so bland and boring, the neutral color bricks, bland metals and many shades of gray make the city blend together, creating a monotonous landscape. Most buildings don’t trigger emotions in any way, they don’t make us excited or drop our jaw. If anything, they make us sick, without us understanding or knowing. As an aspiring architect/artist, I feel a building should stand out and have a meaning, whether it could make someone happy, excited, motivated or make them calm and relaxed. Forcing one’s emotions one way or the other. I try to make my work fun, exciting and humorous while pushing norms. Trying to captivate humanity. My main ideas work with drawings, trying to manipulate and discover architecture that is emphasized by color and forms to see what is possible, and make the impossible, desirable. Vibrant colors and jolting formsjuxtaposed into cityscapes generating enjoyment, emotions and uplifting imaginations. Moving away from bland neutral colors, like what is seen mostly in the United States. My work is supposed to symbolize what could be and show that we should never lose our imagination and turn docile. It may not be practical, but I hope it is inspiring and fills the mind with possibilities. I want to fully understand color and form someday to create a sense of wonder as if we’ve seen earth for the first time.
![](https://i0.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/12/Ryan-Rufer-1.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/12/Ryan-Rufer-2.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/12/Ryan-Rufer-3.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/12/Ryan-Rufer-4.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/sites.uwm.edu/studio-art-ba-bfa/files/2020/12/Ryan-Rufer-5.jpg?ssl=1)