Sticks, Lines and Leaves
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 con- cept 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 continously since 2001.
For this exhibition Ralf Kempken has worked with Declan Halinan to develop his concepts of illusion, the hidden and the unknown. We see in his work inspiration taken from the forrest and its references. These references can been seen through vertical cut lines and direct reference to imagery of forrests. The most direct refences being the collaborative work with Declan, in which imagery of forrests creates a canvas for the illusions which Ralf uses for the stories he evokes.
DECLAN HALLINAN
This exhibition is Ralf Kempken’s idea . The brief was “Foliage“ ; an easy one for me as I am drawn to the bush and the almost impossible structure of the bush , I paint on the spot outside and mostly take the close view and try to examine the bush texture . My paint is oil and is applied with brush and hands . This series of twelve small paintings was painted on the You Yangs outer circle track from late 2009 and through 2010 . The painting “ Lerderderg Winter ‘ was painted on the ninth of august in 2010 in the Lerderderg state forest.
This collaboration with Ralf the first time that I have shown in tandem.
