Sophie Ryder knew at age 15 that she could accomplish more than she was at school.  In order to follow her dream of going to art school, Ryder crammed for a year and aquired the qualifications she needed to join the Royal Academy School at age 17.  She started by studying painting, but before she could fill more than one canvas she was invited ot join the sculpture department.  The sculpture department director changed after six months and Ryder was run out because she was too young and not doing a post graduate degree.  In secrecy she continued to sculpt and use the school’s equipment.  Ryder had no tutor for the majority  of her time at the Royal Academy School, but she graduated nonetheless with a painting diploma.  She only completed one painting during her time at school.  Ryder was very lucky and found clients to work for right out of college.  Soon after she was invited to start residencies in places around the world.  Ryder’s work gradually matured, and grew larger.  Her wire sculptures started out as armatures for clay figures, but soon became larger than life statues.  She was one of the first people to use wire as a sculptural medium.  Ryder now lives in the Gloucestershire countryside in England and works Monday through Friday in her backyard studio.

(British, 1963 – )