
Ralf Kokke was born to a family of dockworkers in Rotterdam Zuid, an experience that shaped his approach to art. The figures in his paintings are always bent and rugged, reflecting the impact of hard manual work, which inevitably manifested themselves physically and psychologically. In this respect, Kokke feels connected to painters such as Co Westerik, Frits Van Den Berghe, Constant Permeke and Max Beckmann. Recipient of the Mondriaan Fund and the Vincent Van Gogh-Huis residency, Kokke has exhibited extensively in Europe and the United States.
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Exhibitions
2021
Untitled, duo show
Hans Alf Gallery, Kobenhavn, Denmark2020
WATCHLIST
Galerie Droste, Wuppertal, GermanyOUTBREAK, curated by Wobby.Club
De Pont Museum, Tillburg, NetherlandsWunderwall
Plue-One Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, Antwerp, BelgiumTo Paint Is To Love Again, curated by Olivier Zahm
Nino Mier Gallery, West Hollywood, CAArt Rotterdam (Mondrian Fund)
Concepts and Prospects, Rotterdam, Netherlands2019
Naarden
Allard Wildenberg Projects, Naarden, NetherlandsUniverses Show 2, curated by Sasha Bogojev
The Garage Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsMy Biggest Small
Showhouse JayJay, Antwerp, BelgiumNacht
Pictura Dordrecht, NetherlandsVelvet Ropes
GIFC, Antwerp, Belgium2018
Consequences
Kaus Australis, Rotterdam, NetherlandsScrew Your Courage To The Sticky Place
Showhouse JayJay, Antwerp, BelgiumVruchtbare Grond
Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Schiedam, NetherlandsWilde Haren
Galerie de Meerse, Hoofddorp, NetherlandsWaited for the fishcorner
Galerie Hommes, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2017
Throwing hands at Sheet
Pictura, Dordrecht, NetherlandsUntitled
Art for Animal Sake (online), Amsterdam, NetherlandsWays of Seeing
Gallery Josilda da Conceicao, Amsterdam, Netherlands2017
Untitled
This Art Fair, Amsterdam, NetherlandsArt the Hague
Galerie Hommes, Rotterdam, NetherlandsRotterdam Contemporary Art Fair
Galerie Hommes, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWallpaper
Showroom Mama/Art Baby, Rotterdam, Netherlands2016
Zevendendzes
Does Interieurs, Laren, NetherlandsSmall Affairs
Galerie Hommes, Rotterdam, NetherlandsVertellers
Pouloeuff, Naarden, Netherlands
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Education
2014
Royal Academy of Fine Art Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
BFA Painting -
Collections
2020
Dordrecht Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands
Van Gogh Huis, Zundert, Netherlands2019
Dordrecht Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands -
Awards
2020
Residency, Van Gogh-Huis, Zundert, Netherlands
Grant Recipient, Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands2019
Residency, Torenkamertje, NPO/OPIUM, Netherlands
Winner, Pictura Price
Mentortraject, Cultuur + Ondernemen, Amsterdam, Netherlands2018
Residency, Kaus Australis, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Young Talent Grant¸ Mondriaan Fund, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Grant Recipient, Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands2017
Kunstschouw Award, Lisser Art Museum, Lisse, Netherlands