It would be hard to dislike this angelic-looking, relatively new addition to the UK club scene. Ryan originally swapped his grey Midlands landscape for the bright lights, big city to study jewellery design at Middlesex Uni. His embracing the underground electro scene soon got him noticed, thanks to his outlandish appearance. Never one to miss a scoop, Matthew Glamorre first spotted him at Gallery 291, Hackney Road, and asked him to run the door at Kashpoint. The looks he works are always innovative one-offs, but he claims his inspiration comes from nothing specific. 'It could be the structure of buildings, films, materials, colour, whatever,' he explains with an exasperated expression, possibly bored being asked the same questions again and again. He makes everything himself (costumes, accessories and props) and calls the end result 'high finish'. His performance turns at Nude, Trannyshack, Kashpoint, Bistrotheque, Egg and the Edinburgh Festival have brought the lanky, almost retiring artist much acclaim. Whether they involve turning into a peacock, giving birth to a giant balloon or shooting his lips with a huge syringe, Styles seems to know instinctively how to impress, as well as shock an audience. Still only 25, he definitely sees his future in visual arts, hence incorporating mime, dance, clowning around and the inevitable sting in the tail to his performances. |
