Richard Ransier

Richard Ransier was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and moved frequently throughout his
childhood, living in Detroit MI, Toledo Ohio, Kansas City MO, Boston MA, Boca Raton FL,
Phoenix AZ, and Los Angeles—all before graduating high school. This constant movement gave him a broad and unique perspective on American culture. After finishing high school in Los Angeles, he moved to Phoenix, where he studied under Allen Dutton, who introduced him to
photography and mixed media as tools for artistic expression. Later, Ransier attended ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, earning a degree in photography and pursuing additional graduate work in the master’s film department. ArtCenter launched his career, leading to collaborations with major corporations such as Disney, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Coca-Cola, and Hard Rock Casino. Ransier’s fine art and photography have received international recognition, including a place in Hasselblad’s permanent collection. He was one of 50 photographers worldwide chosen for Hasselblad’s traveling photography exhibition, celebrating his unique approach to mood, form, and storytelling. His work has been showcased in galleries and exhibitions, including the LA Contemporary Art Show, Houston Texas Contemporary Art Show, Woodman Shimko Gallery, Ramos Gallery, MRG Fine Art Gallery, Stone Malone Gallery, Phoenix Art Show, and the Palm Springs Contemporary Art Show. His contributions to visual arts have earned him industry accolades, including the DESI Award for design, LA Art Direction Award, and How Magazine Award for Design. His latest project, “An Uncomfortable Conversation: Guns in America," confronts one of the country’s most divisive issues. Using decommissioned firearms removed from circulation by law enforcement, he transforms them into mixed-media paintings, sculptures, and photographs. At the heart of his work is transformation—juxtaposing historical and modern firearms to highlight their stark evolution alongside the Second Amendment. His process integrates these confiscated weapons with photography, film, motion, and resin, challenging viewers to move beyond political divides and engage in deeper conversations about the cultural and historical significance of guns in America.

 

“There have been moments I wanted to walk away from this project—it’s a hard subject. But every time another shooting happens, it only fuels my determination to keep going. Some topics are difficult, but ignoring them doesn’t make them any less real. If I can get people to stop, think, and talk, even for a moment, then the work is doing something meaningful. Art won’t change laws, but it can shift perspectives—and sometimes, that’s where real change begins.”