Ralf Kempken

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About the Artists:

Ralf Kempken has been cutting and spraying multi layered stencils for years. From portraiture, iconic Melbourne cafes and modernist architecture, the stencil is used to spray images in countless variations. The underlying concept has always been that we filter all we see through past experiences and memories. Thus followed the evolution of the stencil which, up until now has been used as the tool to produce the painting, into the artwork itself. We all screen and frame our personal view of the world and with this in mind the stencils have turned into screens. Artwork that can be seen through and create optical illusions. The screens are intended as daily reminders that we have a conscious choice in how to look at the world around us.
All work is hand cut into paper, acetate, canvas or timber. With some outside help they can also be cut into steel. Ralf has been exhibiting continuously since 2001.

Biography:

Born in Germany, 1961
Living in Melbourne’s inner city for 25 years
Painting full time and exhibiting since 2001
Completed Diploma of visual arts at RMIT in 2005

Résumé:

SOLO
2020- Pattern Recognition, Manyung Gallery Malvern
2020- Melbourne Patterns, Studio Gallery Hawthorn
2020- Facades, St Heliers Gallery, Abbotsford Convent
2019- Confluence, Abbotsford Convent
2019- Melbourne Perspective, Manyung Gallery Malvern
2019- City Shadows, Studio Gallery Hawthorn
2018- South Yarra Art House
2018- Urban Art, Manyung Gallery Malvern
2018- Shadows and Memories, Studio Gallery Hawthorn
2017- South Yarra Art House
2017- Into The Distance, Manyung Gallery Malvern
2017- Shadow Theatre, Hawthorn Studio Gallery, Hawthorn East
2016- On Reflection, South Yarra Art House
2016- Urban Art, Manyung Gallery, Malvern
2016- Optique. Hawthorn Studio Gallery, Hawthorn East
2015- Depends on how you look at it, St. Heliers St. Gallery, Abbotford Convent
2015- Perspectives, Hawthorn Studio Gallery, Hawthorn East
2014- Screening, Hawthorn Studio Gallery, Hawthorn East
2013- Stencils to Screens, Hawthorn Studio Gallery, Hawthorn East
2012- Unknown, c3 contemporary art space, Abbotsford Convent
2011- Lines, Sticks & Leaves, St. Heliers Gallery, Abbotsford Convent
2010- Filter, Ochre gallery, Collingwood
2009- Now Screening.., famouswhendead gallery, Nth. Melb.
2008- c3 contemporary art space launch, Abbotsford Convent
2008- Interface, Powerhouse Arts Centre, Brisbane
2008- Interface, gallery launch, famouswhendead gallery, Melbourne

GROUP
2021- 'Inside, Outside', Manyung Gallery Malvern
2019- St Kevins, Toorak
2018- Scotch College
2018- St Kevins, Toorak
2017- Flanegan Art Prize, Ballarat
2017- winner, St. Kevins Art Show
2017- finalist, Wyndham Art Prize
2017- Stencil Art Prize, Adelaide
2016- Stencil Art Prize, Sydney
2015- finalist, Banyule Award for Works on Paper, Ivanhoe
2015- YKCDT, aMBUSH Gallery, Sydney
2015- finalist, highly commended, Hazelhurst Works on paper award, Sydney
2013- winner, Australian Stencil art Prize, Sydney
2013- winner - people’s choice award, Banyule Works on paper, Melbourne
2013- finalist, Flanegan Art Prize, Ballarat
2012- winner, Australian stencil art prize, Crissie Cotter Gallery, Sydney
2012- finalist, National Works on Paper Award, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
2012- the art of photographic expression, Gallery One, Gold Coast
2011- finalist, Australian stencil art prize, Cockatoo Island, Sydney
2010- finalist, Australian stencil art prize, Sydney
2010- Paperworks, c3 contemporary art space, Abbotsford
2010- artist residency Scotch College
2009- Australian stencil art prize, Sydney
2008- off the wall finalist – Art Sydney
2008- Macarthur Cook art awards finalist, 45 downstairs gallery, Melbourne
2008- Melbourne stencil festival, featured artist representing Australia & Asia
2008- off the wall finalist – Art Melbourne
2007- Stencil festival, Perth
2007- Urban art agenda, Perth
2007- Stencil festival, Sydney and Brisbane
2007- Fine cuts, Ballarat art gallery
2007- Melbourne Stencil Festival
2007- Selected cuts, Fringe festival Adelaide
2006- Stencil Festival, Melbourne & Sydney
2005- Melbourne stencil festival

 

PUBLIC ART COLLECTIONS

2022              Petersham RSL Development
                      Aluminium Screen Facade

2021             Royal Cildrens Hospital 150th Birthday Art Trail,

2019             Brickyards Night School
                     Aluminium stencil installation, Marrickville Public Library, Sydney

2017             Past Futures
                     City of Yarra Public Art Lightbox Project, North Carlton Library South Wall

2015             Richmond Fence
                     Dimmeys Development, Richmond Railway Line

2014            Fair Work, Fair Pay, Fair Play
                    HV McKay Bridge Mural, Sunshine, Regional Rail Link Development

2014           Changing Face
                   Perforated aluminium screen installation, West Footscray Railway Station
 

2012           Mali in the city (Swanston and Collins Street)
                   for Melbourne Zoo 150th Birthday Art Trail

Associated News

Associated Videos

Associated Exhibitions

Artist in Action
Featuring Ralf Kempken

Manyung Gallery Flinders
20 January - 26 January, 2024
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Affordable Art Fair Singapore
F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975
9 November - 12 November, 2023
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Ralf Kempken
'Recognising Melbourne'

Manyung Gallery Strathmore
3 June - 17 June, 2023
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Summer at Manyung
Manyung Gallery Malvern & Strathmore
4 February - 25 February, 2023
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Sorrento Urban Art Soirée
Manyung Gallery Sorrento
21 January - 27 January, 2023
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Ralf Kempken
'The Hometown Tourist'

Manyung Gallery Strathmore
18 June - 2 July, 2022
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Affordable Art Fair Sydney
Royal Randwick Racecourse
2 June - 5 June, 2022
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Manyung's Christmas Gift Guide!
Special gift ideas under $2000!
9 December - 24 December, 2021
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Ralf Kempken & Darren Doye
'Inside, Outside'

Manyung Gallery Malvern
17 July - 14 August, 2021
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Easter Weekend Soirée
Manyung Gallery Sorrento
3 April - 5 April, 2021
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Ralf Kempken
'Pattern Recognition'

Manyung Gallery Virtual Exhibition
8 August - 25 August, 2020
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Summer @ Flinders

Manyung Gallery Flinders
6 December, 2019 - 28 January, 2020
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Champagne & Mistletoe
VIP Christmas Exhibition

Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
5 December - 24 December, 2019
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Ralf Kempken
Melbourne Perspective

Manyung Gallery Malvern
18 July - 3 August, 2019
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Celebrate The Festive Season - End of 2017 Group Exhibition
Manyung Gallery Malvern
1 December - 22 December, 2017
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Ralf Kempken & Sarah Boulton
Manyung Gallery Malvern
26 July - 13 August, 2017
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Ralf Kempken and Alberto Sanchez
Manyung Gallery Sorrento
24 February - 9 March, 2017
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End of Year Group Exhibition
Manyung Gallery Malvern
8 December - 24 December, 2016
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Metropolis
Manyung Gallery Malvern
9 June - 26 June, 2016
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New Interiors Exhibition
Manyung Gallery Malvern
7 November - 29 November, 2015
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Inner Urban And Iconic exhibition
Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
6 August - 30 August, 2015
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Movement and Tangibility
Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
7 March - 29 March, 2015
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Urban Show
At Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2 August - 31 August, 2014
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Affordable Art Fair Singapore
Manyung Gallery Group will again attend the art fair as as Contemporary Art Australia. Find us at Stand 2B-13
23 May - 25 May, 2014
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