Michael x. Ryan - Wise One: Amputated Oak of Woodstock

2022–ongoing

When Ryan’s family purchased their Woodstock, IL, property in 2021, they inherited the remains of a magnificent oak that was partially cut down, likely due to surrounding Buckthorn and drought. Its fallen limbs rendered the tree a monument to environmental stress. Ryan began by drawing it from multiple viewpoints to engage with its enduring presence. Seeking new perspectives, he invited Chicago artists Cody Norman and Tom Burtonwood to capture nearly 1,000 drone photographs, which informed 3D-printed models at varying scales. At the same time, Ryan created gesture drawings—dancing and standing still to inhabit the tree’s form—which were translated into virtual reality software, allowing the gestures to be converted into three-dimensional objects that reflect both the tree’s physical structure and living essence. The project marks a meditation on resilience, presence, and the traces of life in the natural world that recur throughout Ryan’s practice.

[W10] Amputated Wise Oak 4, 2022-23 graphite on vellum Paper size: 30 x 13 in (76.2 x 33.02 cm) Framed: 33.25 x 16 in (84.46 x 40.64 cm)

[W11] Amputated Wise Oak 3, 2022-23 graphite on vellum Paper size: 32 x 11 in (81.28 x 27.94 cm)

[W12] Amputated Wise Oak 2, 2022-23 graphite on vellum Paper size: 30 x 12 in (76.2 x 30.48 cm) Framed: 32.5 x 15 in (82.55 x 38.1 cm)

[W13] Amputated Wise Oak 1, 2022-23 graphite on vellum Paper size: 28 x 13 in (71.12 x 33.02 cm) Framed: 31.25 x 15.5 in (79.38 x 39.37 cm)

[W19] Amputated Wise Oak 1 - drawing study for stage set, 2023 ink and color pencil on card stock Paper size: 11 x 5.6 in (27.94 x 14.22 cm) Framed: 13.5 x 8.25 x 1.5 in (34.29 x 20.96 x 3.81 cm)

[W20] Amputated Wise Oak 2 - drawing study for stage set, 2023 ink and color pencil on card stock Paper size: 11 x 5.6 in (27.94 x 14.22 cm) Framed: 13.5 x 8.25 x 1.5 in (34.29 x 20.96 x 3.81 cm)

[W21] Amputated Wise Oak 3 - drawing study for stage set, 2023 ink and color pencil on card stock Paper size: 11 x 5.6 in (27.94 x 14.22 cm) Framed: 13.5 x 8.25 x 1.5 in (34.29 x 20.96 x 3.81 cm)

[W22] Amputated Wise Oak 4 - drawing study for stage set, 2023 ink and color pencil on card stock Paper size: 11 x 5.6 in (27.94 x 14.22 cm) Framed: 13.5 x 8.25 x 1.5 in (34.29 x 20.96 x 3.81 cm)

[W23 - 19 pieces] Wise One Study Drawings #1, 2022-25 bulletin board with study drawings 36 x 48 x 1 in (91.44 x 121.92 x 2.54 cm)

[W24 - 20 pieces] Wise One Study Drawings #2, 2022-25 bulletin board with study drawings 36 x 48 x 1 in (91.44 x 121.92 x 2.54 cm)

[W1] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 1 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W2] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 2 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W3] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 4 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W4] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 5 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W5] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 7 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W6] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 8 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W7] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 9 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W8] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 10 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm) Framed: 13 x 10 x 1.5 in (33.02 x 25.4 x 3.81 cm)

[W9] Amputated Wise Oak, Re-formed Gesture Studies Negative 11 for stage set, 2024 ink on gray card stock Paper size: 11 x 8 in (27.94 x 20.32 cm)

[W18] Amputated Wise Oak 2 - acrylic paint pen on pieced plywood, 2024 acrylic paint pen on pieced plywood nailed to panel 72 x 36 x 0.25 in (182.88 x 91.44 x 0.64 cm)

[W28k] Wise One Study Drawings #3 - Diagram Study for VR #2, 2025 Prismacolor pencil on paper Paper size: 11 x 8.5 in (27.94 x 21.59 cm)