Education
1999 Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture, University of Alberta, CAN.
1997 Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Alberta, CAN.
Exhibitions
2009 ECAS 17th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Peter Robertson Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
Wearable Art Awards Exhibition, Port Moody Arts Centre, Port Moody BC, CAN.
Wearable Art Awards Performance, City Hall Galleria, Port Moody BC, CAN.
Sculpture In Our Time, Common Sense, CAN (solo)
2008 ECAS 16th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Common Sense, CAN.
Dirty Noisy Smelly, Western Avenue Studios, Lowell, USA.
Lambton II: Five Years Later, The Lambton Institute of Advanced Modernism, Edmonton, CAN.
2007 New Directions, Stollery Gallery, Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, Edmonton, CAN.
ECAS 15th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibit, Peter Robertson Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
Flat, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN (curated by Marcus Miller).
Free For All, Art Gallery of Alberta, CAN.
2006 – 2007 Will and Representation, Sculpture by Invitation: Shaw Conference Centre Plaza, Edmonton, CAN (solo)
2006 ECAS 14th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibit, Planet Ze Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
Big Things 4, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, CAN.
Sculpture on the Plaza, Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2005 ECAS 13th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Great West Saddlery Building, Edmonton, CAN.
Vernissage, Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, USA
Alberta Centennial Sculpture Exhibition, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, CAN (trio).
2004 ECAS 12th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Great West Saddlery Building, Edmonton, CAN.
Big Things 3, The Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
Six Sculptors, Lando Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
2003 ECAS 11th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Great West Saddlery Building, Edmonton, CAN.
Domesticity, SNAP Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
Big Things 2, The Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
2002 Desperate Measures, The Works Gallery, Edmonton, CAN (trio).
North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop, Global Visions Film Festival, Edmonton, CAN (duo).
Edmonton Sculpture: The Next Generation, Harcourt House Gallery, Edmonton, CAN.
Big Things, The Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
Front Room Sculpture, Harcourt House Gallery, Edmonton, CAN (trio).
2001 ECAS 9th Annual Painting & Sculpture Exhibition, Arts Barns, Edmonton, CAN.
Sculpture– The Works: 2001, Art Expo 2001, Edmonton, CAN (curated by Royden Mills)
2000 Recent Works, The Works Visual Arts Festival, Edmonton, CAN (solo).
1999 Modern Artifacts, Fine Arts Building Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN (solo).
1997 What’s New, Art Rental and Sales Gallery, Edmonton Art Gallery, CAN.
Proclamation, Fine Arts Building Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
Experience
2009 Curator, The Seven Figure Bonus Show, Common Sense Gallery, CAN
2008 Exhibition Organizer, PETER HIDE @ THE RAM, Royal Alberta Museum, CAN
2007 Visiting Artist, Theory of Knowledge, Harry Ainlay High School, CAN
2006 Visiting Artist, Abstract Sculpture (instructor: A. French), University of Alberta
2005 Visiting Artist, Abstract Sculpture (instructor: A. French), University of Alberta
Juror, 76 Avenue LRT Art Commission, Edmonton Arts Council, CAN
2004 Visiting Artist, Abstract Sculpture (instructor: A. French), University of Alberta
2003 Sessional Instructor, Visual Fundamentals, University of Alberta
2002 Founder, North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop, Edmonton, CAN
2001 Juror, Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund, Edmonton Arts Council, CAN
Curator, Tony Baker: Resolutions, Edmonton Art Gallery, CAN
Juror, Celebrate Canada Day Poster Challenge, Department of Canadian Heritage
2000 – 2001 Artistic Coordinator, Art Expo 2001, Edmonton, CAN (Named Alberta’s Best Cultural Event by Attractions Canada)
1999 Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Photography, University of Alberta
Graduate Research Assistantship, Sculpture, University of Alberta
1997 – 1998 Graduate Research Assistantship, Sculpture, University of Alberta
1995 Photographer, Edmonton Eskimos Football Club, Canadian Football League
Gallery Representation
Canada Common Sense, 10546 – 115 Street, Edmonton, AB
USA Sculpturesite Gallery, Convention Plaza, 201 Third Street, Suite 102, San Francisco, CA
Awards, Grants, and Scholarships
2009 Wearable Art Award: Headdress Category - City of Port Moody
2008 C2E 2007 Column of the Year Award
Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
2006 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
2005 Edmonton Arts Council Community Investment Program Travel Grant
2004 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award
2003 Lee Fund for the Arts Award
Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
2002 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
2000 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Helen Collinson Memorial Award
1999 Mary Louise Imrie Graduate Student Award
1998 Melba Sadler Graduate Scholarship in Art and Design
1997 Investors Group Award for Excellence in Sculpture
Collections & Commissions
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
All Weather Windows
City of Red Deer
Northern Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd.
University of Alberta Museums
Private collections in Canada and the United States
Bibliography
2009 Janice Ryan, “Modern Times’ Many Faces”, Edmonton Journal, September 18.
Andrew Paul, “Studiovisit: Ryan McCourt - Sculptor”, See Magazine, August 20.
Jessica Murdy, “Funnell Succeeds at Port Moody Art Awards”, Agassiz Observer, June 5.
Sarah Payne, “Vote For Your Favourite”, Tri-City News, June 2
Adam Waldron-Blain, “What’s Really Wrong With Edmonton”, Prairie Artsters, May 6.
Mandy Espezel & Jill Stanton, “Does The Public Enjoy Public Art?”, See Magazine, January 22.
2008 David Berry, “No One’s A Critic”, Vue Weekly, December 25.
Amy Fung, “A Different Kind Of ARC”, Vue Weekly, July 10.
2007 Vaidvisa Bala, “Grotesque Ganeshas Protested”, Hinduism Today, October/November/December.
‘Eye on Alberta’, “The Reawakening Of Ganesha”, Alberta Views, November Issue.
Tom Murray, “Multiple Directions Merge In Single Exhibit”, Edmonton Journal, October 5.
Amy Fung, “Censorship At Least Deserves A Debate”, Vue Weekly, October 3.
Glenn Weiss, “The Role of Censorship In Public Art”, Aesthetic Grounds, October 2.
Krishna Bagdiya, “Sculptures No Threat”, Edmonton Journal, September 30.
Joe Renaud, “Art’s Message Isn’t Always Pretty”, Edmonton Journal, September 30.
Margaret Wente, “Why Are We So Afraid To Offend?”, The Globe and Mail, September 29.
Bruce Dunbar, “Mandel Oversteps Bounds”, Edmonton Journal, September 23.
Donna McKinnon, “No Place For Censorship”, Edmonton Journal, September 23.
Paula Simons, “Sculptor’s Use Of Revered Hindu Deity Shows No Signs Of Sacrilege”, Edmonton Journal, September 22
Gordon Kent, “Art Called Irreverent”, Windsor Star, September 22.
Indo–Asian News Service, “Nude Ganesh Idols To Be Removed After Hindus Protest”, Times of India, September 21.
CanWest News Service, “Sculptures Offend Hindus”, Vancouver Sun, September 21.
Val Ross, “Edmonton To Remove Statues After Hindu Protest”, The Globe and Mail, September 20.
Joshua B. Good, “Erotic Hindu Statues Censored In Canada, Sculptor Refuses To Cover 'Naughty Bits'”, Banned Magazine, September 20.
Lyle Cott, “Edmonton Mayor Scraps Sculptures After Hindu Protest”, CBC News, September 20.
Gordon Kent, “Sculptor Unfazed By Criticism”, Edmonton Journal, September 20.
Gordon Kent, “Sculptures Of Hindu God Rile Faithful”, Calgary Herald, September 19.
Frank Landry, “Statues To Come Down”, Edmonton Sun, September 19.
Gordon Kent, “Scrap Sculptures, Mayor Says”, Edmonton Journal, September 19.
ECAS 15th Annual Exhibition, (exhibition catalogue), Edmonton Contemporary Artists Society.
Paula Simons, “Diverse Works Delight The Eye With Whimsy, Passion”, Edmonton Journal, June 16.
2006 Agnieszka Matejko, “Where Does Artistic Freedom End And Cultural Appropriation Begin?”, Vue Weekly, Issue 538, December 21.
Bill Mah, “Artists Give Walls Of Shaw Extension Lively Look”, Edmonton Journal, November 18.
Mari Sasano, “The Museum Wants You To Think Big. Really Big”, Edmonton Journal, August 25.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Bianca Khan's One–Tonne Challenge”, Edmonton Journal, July 23.
2005 Gilbert Bouchard, “Creativity Is In The Small Things”, Edmonton Journal, October 9.
Jamie Windborne, “Gallery Opens With Show Of Forceful Spatial Expression”, The San Francisco Art News Extra, August 13.
Gilbert Bouchard, “War, Peace Among Themes Of Sculpture Exhibition”, Edmonton Journal, July 8.
Mari Sasano, “Sculptors Slaves To Big Things”, Edmonton Journal, July 1.
Jeffrey Sterr, “Sculpting A Career”, Work of Arts, Spring.
2004 Gilbert Bouchard, “Artists’ Group Comes Home To Saddlery Building”, Edmonton Journal, October 8.
Olenka Melnyk, “Big Sculpture, Bigger Worries Burden Artists”, Edmonton Journal, July 12.
Piri Halasz, “Of Bold New Frontiers And Stale Red Herrings”, From The Mayor’s Doorstep, No. 52, March 1.
2002 Mike Berezowsky, “Sculpture Exhibit Gets A Big Response”, Edmonton Examiner, September 11.
Mike Winters, “Fitting Into The Modernist Mould”, See Magazine, Issue 455, August 12.
Erik Floren, “Big Impressions”, The Edmonton Sunday Sun, July 28.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Come To Expect ‘Big Things’”, Edmonton Journal, July 19.
Terry Fenton, “Edmonton Sculpture: The Next Generation”, Harcourt Expressed, Volume 12, Summer.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Shows Explore Layers Of Domesticity, With Sculpture And Silver”, Edmonton Journal, May 24.
2001 Maureen Fenniak, “Abstract Criticism”, Vue Weekly, Issue 309, September 20.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Festival Reflects Big Changes In Space, Time, Philosophy”, Edmonton Journal, July 2.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Pssst… Want To Get Arty With Me?”, Edmonton Journal, June 30.
Gilbert Bouchard, “Celebrating The Sensuality Of Sculpture”, Edmonton Journal, June 26.
Sculpture – The Works: 2001, (exhibition catalogue), The Works Visual Arts Festival.
1999 Phoebe Dey, “Heavy Metal”, Folio, Volume 37, Number 3, October 1.
Danielle Zyp, “Scrap Metal Or Sculpture?”, Vue Weekly, Issue 206, September 16.
Publications
2009 “Deleted”, Vue Weekly, No 730, October 15.
“An Artist’s Rationale”, Chisel and Pen, February 25.
2008 “Autograph” (Exhibition Essay), Rob Willms: Autograph, Common Sense gallery.
2007 “Indian Sculptors Among The Best”, Edmonton Journal, September 23.
“…Better Than New Arts Column”, Vue Weekly, No. 613, July 19.
“Through The Eyes Of The Beholders”, Edmonton Journal, June 16.
“Deport U.S. Diplomat”, Edmonton Journal, January 30.
2006 “Rescuers Attacked, Too”, Edmonton Journal, July 29.
“Israeli Attacks Not 'Moderate' Response”, Edmonton Journal, July 18.
“Praise From The Great White North”, Miami SunPost, April 13.
2005 “The North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop: Emerging Steel Sculptors Thrive In Co–op Environment”, VAAA Newsletter, Fall & Winter.
“Art Gallery's 'Ribbon Of Steel' Won't Draw Crowds If There's Nothing Inside”, Edmonton Journal, October 25.
“Decline of Christianity In Britain Has Nothing To Do With Terrorist Attacks”, Edmonton Journal, August 7.
“Sculpture Exhibition”, Edmonton Journal, July 3.
“Where’s An Editor When You Need One?”, See Magazine, Issue 600, May 26.
“Pathetic Aesthetics”, Vue Weekly, Issue 481, January 6.
2004 “Bay Store Would Make A Fine Campus”, Edmonton Journal, June 21.
2002 “Misreading Greenberg”, Amazon.ca, November 13.
“Front Room Sculpture”, Harcourt Expressed, Volume 12, Summer.
2001 “More Ambition”, See Magazine, Issue 401, August 9.
1998 “Visual Arts Column Offends In Its Laxity”, Edmonton Journal, October 28.