“Twenty-Seven Cranes”

Dallas artist Ryan Vojir recently completed “Twenty Seven Cranes,” a 4×8 foot oil painting featuring the reconstruction of the World Trade Center. He spent over 300 hours working on the project.

Details of construction work in "Twenty Seven Cranes"

Vojir is a cityscape oil painter whose lifetime goal is to visit and paint at least one scene of every major U.S. and world city. He has visited and captured over 35 cities so far including New York City and Dallas.

“Years from now when the entire World Trade Center site is complete, how will this endeavor be recalled?” asked Vojir.

“I assume mostly with pictures and perhaps a few artifacts. But why not additionally with a large and magnificent oil painting which encapsulates the endeavor? Something that in one image will allow future generations to see the grandeur of the labor and logistics that was required to rebuild this site.”

"Penn Station Excavation"

“[Bellows’] work and the hard work of thousands to rebuild on the WTC have been my inspiration to capture a similar view of a great work in our lifetime,” Vojir said.

Vojir is asking $35,000 for the “Twenty Seven Cranes.” He will donate a third of the sale to FDNY Foundation in honor of his uncle who was a firefighter.

“Working on this oil painting has been very special for me. Because of the importance of its subject matter, and because I truly believe that this canvas will become a historical piece, I hope to find a fitting home for it where many will be able to view it.”

To watch a short video depicting the artistic process of “Twenty Seven Cranes” from start to finish, visit “Twenty Seven Cranes” Bringing the WTC back to Life.

About the Artist

Artist Ryan Vojir stands next to "Twenty Seven Cranes"

R. J. Vojir [pron. ‘Voy-er’ (Czech)(b. 1975)] born in Cleveland, OH and currently resides in Dallas, TX.

Artistically inclined from childhood, this oil painter went to Ohio State and Georgia Tech for design, mixed things up a bit by serving in the Marines, flying helicopters, daylights as a professional interface designer, and is somewhat of a nomad.

While visiting Chicago in 2002, he entered Kamp Gallery (in the Drake Hotel) and a real appreciation of impressionist paintings was awoken. There off to the side, measuring only about the size of a piece of paper and surrounded by other larger, less impressive paintings, was a gem of the Parisian streets painted by Edouard Cortes in the early 20th century. That encounter with one tiny painting ignited his interest to study the Impressionists, especially Caillebotte, (the original urban impressionist), as well as Arntzenius, Hassam, Bellows, and Cortes at the “Met,” the Hermitage, and other museums and galleries. He now works in a style and feel of the modern urban landscape all his own.

Since 2002, he has ‘allegedly’ trespassed, climbed on roofs, and played chicken with cars and trains as a means to capture views of cities IN OUR TIMES. Moments that will display for generations to come what things looked like in the 21st century.

Vojir has resided in Dallas since 2005. Previously between 4 years in the Marine Corps as a pilot and maintenance officer, graduate school, and a short aerospace career he has lived in Columbus OH, Quantico VA, Pensacola FL, Atlanta, New Haven CT and travels frequently to NYC. He is represented by Lagerquist Gallery in Atlanta.

More info:

To order purchase an original or commission a cityscape, email R.J. at [email protected] or go to urbanimpressionist.com.