Ralf Kempken

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.

SOLO

2024- Artist in Action, Manyung Gallery Flinders

2023- Recognising Melbourne, Manyung Gallery Strathmore

2022- The Hometown Tourist, Manyung Gallery Strathmore

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

2024- Easter Long Weekend Features, Manyung Gallery Flinders and Sorrento

2023- Affordable Art fair Singapore, Manyung Gallery

2023- The Collectors Canvas, Manyung Gallery Malvern

2023- Summer at Manyung, Manyung Gallery Malvern and Strathmore

2023- Sorrento Urban Art soirée, Manyung Gallery Sorrento

2022- Affordable Art Fair Sydney, Manyung Gallery

2022- Grand Opening, Manyung Gallery Strathmore

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 150^th 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 150^th Birthday Art Trail