2012 Winner – Formative by Ralf Kempken (Australia)
Melbourne-based stencil artist Ralf Kempken won the Australian Stencil Art Prize with his amazing three dimensional, multi-layered stencil titled Formative.
Created using a number of painstakingly prepared, hand-carved paper stencils produced using a simple scalpel, the winning work is an engaging optical illusion as well as an engrossing work of art. Intended as daily reminders that we have a conscious choice in how to look at the world around us, the artist’s screens filter all we see through past experiences and memories. An evolution of the stencil as a tool to produce a painting, Kempken’s unique creations turn the stencil into the artwork itself.
Ralf 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. 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.
The Australian Stencil Art Prize exhibited rom the 21 November – 2 December 2012 at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery in Camperdown in Sydney’s Innerwest. 38 stencil artists from around Australia were selected as finalists for the Prize.
*NB From 2009 – 2012 the Prize was Australian artists only
23rd Key
AAAGHH!!
Adrian Smith
Alex Gilchrist
Bohemian Rockstar
Boo
Dale
Damien Mitchell
Dan Mansutti
Draftfunkart
Earwig
El Lobo
Fletch
Graeme Haynes
Harrie Sengers
Harry Warne
Ignacio Rojas
Ilia Kokalevski
Jrochester
Kelly Sullivan
Logan Moody
MArk FiTZ
Michael Chick
Michael Duncan
Mr.Lankey
Neen
PAWA
Poncho Army
Ralf Kempken
RD D2
Rebecca McMaster
Rem
RK
Shanta
Think
Thirty60
Xian