Uriel (formerly Ryan Brewer, b. 1985-2020) is an interdisciplinary artist (MFA ArtCenter, BFA Parsons) who works fluidly across sculpture, performance, multimedia, writing, social practice, and healing arts. Since 2006, Uriel has exhibited at WIELS Contemporary Art Centre (Brussels, Belgium), Invisible Exports, Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, Envoy Enterprises, the Streb Lab for Action Mechanics (all NYC), and Last Projects (Los Angeles), among others. Their work has appeared in many publications including Artforum, W Magazine, Frieze, Mousse Magazine, New York Observer, Art Fag City, Artmagazine, Fillip Magazine, and E.R.O.S Issue 4: Man (Tate Modern, London, 2014). In 2011, Uriel was awarded a residency at the Fire Island Artist Residency, the first residency program for emerging LGBTQ artists in the United States (Fire Island, NY). They have also worked collaboratively with AA Bronson, including exhibitions at Gwangju Biennale (Gwangju, Korea), Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art, (Rotterdam, Netherlands), Esther Schipper (Berlin), Maureen Paley (London), Art Basel 43, Art Basel 44 (both Basel, Switzerland), among others. Uriel lives and works in West Hollywood, CA.
EMPLOYMENT
2018- Ryan Brewer Studio, West Hollywood, CA
Studio Principal. Operate design studio and fabrication shop that provides creative consulting services and constructs custom commissions for local artists and arts institutions (in the form of sculptural prototypes, finished installation fixtures, and exhibition components); local home and business owners (in the form of specialized, site-specific residential or commercial fixtures and built-in furniture).
2016-18 ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
Graduate Student Instructor/Teaching Assistant. Assisted associate professors Olga Koumoundouros (Socially Engaged Art 2) and Amir Nikravan (Primary Structures: Structuralism and Representation in Painting), in the facilitation of advanced art practice courses for upper-level undergraduate students. The focus of Socially Engaged Art was the collaboration with the non-profit arts organization Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) to create co-sponsored and co-created exhibitions emphasizing the talents of underserved, differently-abled artist communities in Downtown Los Angeles. The central focus of Primary Structures {…} was on studio-based art practice and the intersection of contemporary painting with formal exercises, experiments, and critiques of Structuralist theory and methodologies.
2013-16 Bebe Daddy Services, Brooklyn, NY + Los Angeles, CA
Owner/Operator. Visual and technical consultant/contractor. Managed and facilitated residential and commercial projects. Custom design, fabrication, and installation of original fixtures.
2012-14 Breathe Life Healing Centers, New York, NY + Los Angeles, CA
Facilities/Project Manager. Responsible for the management of remodeling and staging projects of residential, administrative, and clinical settings; scheduled and coordinated projects with designers, contractors, operations management and staff; oversaw the design, fabrication, and installation of property assets; fulfilled security and safety protocols by developing and implementing policies and procedures in regulatory compliance.
2011-13 School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
Research Assistant. Assisted faculty of the MFA Art Practice program to construct and edit academic course writing and to locate all supporting research materials. Coordinated with information technology team to provide course materials and multimedia assets for web-based educational platforms.
2009-11 Streb Lab for Action Mechanics (SLAM), Brooklyn, NY
Commissioned Artist / Teaching Assistant / Production Assistant. Designed and produced performance apparatuses as a recipient of the Emerging Artist Commission. Assisted the leadership and facilitation of children’s dance and gymnastic classes. Provided stage rigging and technical assistance to SLAM’s multimedia dance production Run Up Walls.
2008-10 Parsons The New School for Design, New York, NY
Sculpture Technician. Operational and safety knowledge of a variety of woodworking, metalworking, mold-making/casting, and ceramics tools and techniques. Maintained tools and workstations in metalshops and woodshops, provided assistance to student fabrications, and upheld shop safety protocol.
2009 Amorphic Robot Works, Brooklyn, NY
Production Assistant. Assisted the fabrication of the robotic installation Inflatable Architectural Growth, exhibited at “eArts Beyond: Shanghai International Gallery Exhibition of Media Art,” in Shanghai, China.
2008 Corin Hewitt Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Production Assistant. Assisted the fabrication and installation of the artist’s exhibition Seed Stage at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
2006-07 Middle Earth, Ann Arbor, MI
Visual Director. Responsible for creative direction of visual and environmental identity, print advertisement campaigns, eight rotating exterior window displays, and oversaw visual merchandising throughout.
EDUCATION
2018 MFA, ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2011 BFA (with Honors), Parsons the New School for Design, New York, NY
CERTIFICATION
2022 Peer Support Specialist, Cal Voices, Sacramento, CA
2021 Mental Health First Aid provider, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Washington DC
EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES
2022 When the angels from above, ARGOS, Brussels, Belgium
2018 Rachael’s Dream, A1 Gallery, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
U.S., Peggy Phelps Gallery, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Greater Los Angeles MFA (GLAMFA), California State University, Long Beach, CA
2017 Art is Hope, LINK + Praz-Delavallade, Paris, France
How to Build Yourself a Myth, ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
HE 2017, LAST Projects, Los Angeles, CA
FOUNTAIN, ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
Kenopsia, FAR Bazaar, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA
2016 VAULT, ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2015 AA Bronson’s Sacre Du Printemps, Grazer Kunstverein, Graz, Austria
Hexenmeister, (with AA Bronson), Maureen Paley, London, England
LA N CV 2, The Coachella Valley Art Center, Indio, CA
2014 The Botanica, Invisible Exports, NYC; Carroll & Sons, Boston
Gwangju Biennale, (with AA Bronson), Gwangju, South Korea
Art Basel 44, (with AA Bronson), Esther Schipper, Basel, Switzerland
Soft Measures, WIELS Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels, Belgium
Hard Times, Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, NYC
Love Aids Riot Sex 2, (with AA Bronson), NBGK, Berlin, Germany
2013 The Temptation of AA Bronson, (with AA Bronson), Witte de With Center for
Contemporary Art, NL
The Botanica, (with AA Bronson), Nature Morte Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Bunkerweltanschauung, (for Alberto Cortes), MoMA PS1, Long Island City, NY
I Know It When I See It, (for Aura Rosenberg), Martos Gallery, NYC
Triskaidekaphobia, Parade Ground, NYC
2012 Art Basel Miami, (with AA Bronson), Esther Schipper, Miami Beach, FL
Queer Pile-up!, ForYourArt, Los Angeles, CA
Fin De Siglo, (with Aera Dance Foundation), Obra Negra, NYC
Surplus Authors, (with AA Bronson), Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art, NL
How To Download A Boyfriend, (with AA Bronson), e-book/exhibition, Badlands Unlimited
Art Basel 43, (with AA Bronson), Esther Schipper, Basel, Switzerland
Who’s Afraid of Red, White, and Black?, (with AA Bronson and Elijah Burgher), 1:1, NYC
Queer Self Portraits Now, Fred Gallery, (with AA Bronson), London, England
2011 Chapelle Queer, (with AA Bronson), NoFound Photo Fair, Paris, France
Queer Spirits and Other Invocations, (with AA Bronson), Esther Schipper, Berlin, Germany
Here We Are, Fire Island Artist Residency, Fire Island, NY
Wombtomb, (with Michael Dudeck) Center for Performance Research, Brooklyn, NY
Ejected, The New School, New York, NY
Site Fest 11, Lumenhouse, Brooklyn, NY
Emerging Artist Showcase, Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, Brooklyn, NY
Gut Flora, The New School, NYC
2010 Miracles & Traumas, CVZ Contemporary, New York, NY
Real/ly/Fake, The New School, New York, NY
Bent Festival, (with James Daher), Brooklyn, NY
Parasites, The New School, New York, NY
2009 Magic & Scum, The New School, New York, NY
Implausible Structures, (with Kyoung Eun Kang), Brooklyn Artillery, Brooklyn, NY
The Unattainable, Envoy Enterprises, New York, NY
deFORMED: Deformity As Identity, 3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY
2008 Homeland, Death by Audio, Brooklyn, NY
Supersnack’s Big Third Ball, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, Brooklyn, NY
2007 Queens Film Festival, (with Miller & Katsumi), Queens, NY
Ann Arbor Film Festival, (with Miller & Katsumi), Ann Arbor, MI
2006 The Constant Possibility of Erasure, (with Carol Morris), Dorsky Gallery, Long Island City, NY
05/06, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Celebrating Women Artists, Off the Wall Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
AWARDS / HONORS / RESIDENCIES
2011 Artist-in-Residence, Fire Island Artist Residency, Fire Island, NY
2011 Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society: Lifetime member of Theta Nu Sigma Chapter
2009 The International Sculpture Center: Award for Outstanding Student Achievement, Honorable Mention
COMMISSIONS
2012 The Power Plant, Artist Designed Membership Card, (with AA Bronson) Toronto, Ontario
2011 Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, Emerging Artist Commission, Brooklyn, NY
2006 The American Red Cross, Avenue of the Arts, Jackson, MI
LECTURES / PRESENTATIONS
2016 “Art in an Era of Upheaval,” Artist Presentation, LA Artists Share & Care, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 “Here We Are” Artist Presentation, Fire Island Artist Residency, Fire Island, NY.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2021 “Meet the Street Angel of WeHo: Delivering a Slice of Hope to the Homeless,” Itay Hod,
Spectrum News 1, February 2021
2020 “Artist and Caregiver Ryan Brewer is Not Interested in Suffering,” Angela Hamilton, It’s All
Happening Blog, January 2020
2019 “Queer Spiritualities After AIDS: Esotericism and Ritualization in the practices of AA
Bronson, Elijah Burgher, and Ryan Brewer” (Master’s Thesis) Capucine Sammani, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
2018 “Hollywood’s Thought Provokers: Ryan Brewer” Voyage LA Magazine, July 2018
2015 “Spell Bound: On Mimesis, Art, and Alchemy,” Jan Verwoert, Frieze (No. 173, September)
“US History, Queer Life, and Witchcraft,” Francesco Dama, Hyperallergic
“AA Bronson on the Importance of Storytelling,” William Oliver, AnOther Magazine
2014 “On Temptation,”AA Bronson, E.R.O.S. Issue 4,“Man,” Cover Art; p. 130-150
“An Ecology of Affect and Desire: AA Bronson’s ‘House of Shame,’” Vassilis Oikonomopoulos, Hyperallergic
“AA Bronson on Queer Collaborations, Shamanism, and Korean History,” Stuart Comer, Hyperallergic
“The Autobiography of Mark Jan Krayenhoff van de Leur,” AA Bronson, Hyperallergic
2013 “Disco Hospital: Safe and Sound” (Master’s Thesis) Andrew Zeally, OCAD University
“Auf den Spuren der Geister,”[In the Footsteps of Ghosts], Thomas W. Kuhn, Artmagazine
2012 “Kunst Die De Wereld Bezweert,” Machteld Leij, H Art Magazine, p. 19
“Iets Te Veel Samenwerking,” Stefan Kuiper, Volkskrant Magazine, p. 46
“21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves #4” Darin Klein & Friends
“Fire Island Artist Residency Comes Into Its Own At Cherry Grove,” Alex Fialho, Art Fag City
“Blue,” How To Download A Boyfriend, (e-book, Badlands Unlimited)
“The Masculine Mystique,” Jon Davies, Fillip 16, pp. 96, 101-102
“Red,” Darin Klein & Friends, Box of Books, Vol. 5
2011 “Ghosts in the Sex Forest,” Michael Miller, GalleristNY; New York Observer
“Behind the Seen: AA Bronson,” Sameer Reddy, The Daily W; W Magazine
“Black,” Darin Klein & Friends, Box of Books, Vol. 4
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
2020-21 Breadbasket on Wheels / West Hollywood Bread Walk, West Hollywood, CA
Founder/Facilitator. Responsible for founding community service organization that provides food, water, clothing and self-care supplies to local unhoused communities. Practices “in the trenches” techniques by pulling a wagon filled with donations and distributing to those living on the streets. Organizes fundraisers, facilitates donations, and provides volunteer and employment opportunities for housed and unhoused community members. Works as liaison and peer support for connecting unhoused peoples with social services and resources, including community clinics, detox/rehabilitation centers, shelters.
2015-16 LA Artists Share & Care, Los Angeles, CA
Founder/Facilitator. Responsible for founding and leading the artists group with focus on creative, social, and professional challenges of LGBT-identifying artists; hold monthly meetings at the LA LGBT Center, open to artists of all disciplines to share projects, provide support and feedback, and exchange resources and opportunities.
2013-16 Bebe Daddy Services: Daddy Apparel, Brooklyn, NY & Los Angeles, CA
Founder/Designer. Responsible for the design and production of apparel line “Daddy Apparel.” 100 percent of apparel sales profits given to local non-profits including the LA LGBT Center, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the Anti-Violence Project, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
2014 Best in Drag Show, Los Angeles, CA
Set Design+Fabrication/Stage Technician. Responsible for design and fabrication of stage set pieces and props for drag queen contestants in this annual fundraising event for Alliance for Housing and Healing and Aid for AIDS. Additionally provided assistance in backstage operations as stage technician.
2012-13 Thirdroot Community Health Center, Brooklyn, NY
Designer/Carpenter. Responsible for the design, fabrication, and installation of desks, storage units, and other structural improvements within the facility. Team-worked with other LGBT-identifying carpenters to uplift the Center’s environment which provides holistic healthcare to a diverse community membership.
2009-10 Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, Brooklyn, NY
Teacher Assistant. Assisted the leadership and facilitation of children’s dance and gymnastic classes through the Action Opportunity Program, a work/study mentoring program that provides hands-on experience to teaching artists, and serves a diverse youth community in Brooklyn and the greater New York metropolitan area.
2007-08 Team Supersnack, Brooklyn, NY
Art Installation/Team Member. Responsible for the design and fabrication of a site-specific art installation for the organization’s fundraising event Big Third Ball: An Evening of Music, Hilarity, and Hitting AIDS Where It Hurts. Team Supersnack raises funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and care.
2006 Washtenaw Rainbow Variety Show, Ann Arbor, MI
Co-Creator/Event Coordinator/Set Design. Responsible for the co-creation and coordination of this showcase event in collaboration with the LGBT Student Centers at University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University. Created a fun, safe, and inclusive environment by and for the student community, featuring a variety of LGBT-identifying performing artists. Additionally designed and fabricated the stage set.
2005-06 Washtenaw Community College LGBTQ Club, Ann Arbor, MI
Founder/Co-President. Responsible for the creation and co-leadership of the LGBTQ Student Club at Washenaw Community College. Held monthly meetings to provide support and resources to the LGBT student body. Facilitated educational speakers on topics such as Police Force Diversity Training (with sensitivity to LGBT community and same-sex domestic violence); HIV/AIDS awareness training and testing resources in collaboration with HARC (HIV/AIDS Resource Center); and panel discussions in classroom settings for LGBT student awareness. Initiated community-wide activities including the creation of a “Diversity Quilt,” a public art project celebrating diversity across campus, and participated in community outreach events including Motor City Pride.