

Richard Ketley
Born: 1964
Hometown: Johannesburg
Based in: South Africa
Born: 1964
Hometown: Johannesburg
Based in: South Africa
Painting and drawing is an integral part of my life, and has been since a very early age. At the moment I am interested in formal elements of painting and drawing inspired by the world around me and the many countries I visit, and in finding meaning where others do not - in the fall of light on a sandy building in Riyadh, the chaos of the shacks of Kampala, the crowded taxi parks of Johannesburg. My art is a search for perfection that is not often found in life. I am fortunate enough to travel widely in the Middle East and Africa, but I have not found my Tahiti - a landscape populated with primary colours, instead I find landscape covered in sandy construction sites, tin roofed shacks, humanity sweating as trucks our loaded with voluminous bundles. But within these spaces there is balance and form and structure - all elements that are abstracted in my paintings.
Qualifications: MFA Wits University 2018
My studio is located in downtown Johannesburg -in an art deco building that was once a rolls royce showroom. Now the area is very very different. The studio plays an incredibly important role in my creative practice - half meditative, half production. Studio visits can be arranged through the Artling
What inspires you?
Although my work is abstract it is almost always inspired by a combination of story and place - and I spend a huge amount of time travelling. Almost all my work is produced in series in response to specific theme.
Describe your creative process.
My creative process is trigggered by the interaction between place and story, sound light and an emotion. These are captured in notes, collage and sketches and then worked up in the studio.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Now, felt, bold
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
I am inspired by Guagain, Manuel Felguerez, Robert Motherwell
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Very large brushes
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Keep going to the studio.. and it will come right
Where do you go for inspiration?
African cities and ports
1 Article
15 Artists Share About How They Got Started in Art
February 23, 2021
Education
University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa, 2018
Awards
SA Taxi Art Shortlist
2016
SA Taxi Art Shortlist
2015
Exhibitions
Rust and Freedom
South Africa, 2020
Boda Boda and the Bacchus
South Africa, 2019
Swahili
United Arab Emirates, 2019
Sikka Fair Installation
United Arab Emirates, 2019
Watershed
South Africa, 2018
Wayfarers
Ghana, 2018
The Point of Order
South Africa, 2018
Night Landing
South Africa, 2017
Whats Art For?
South Africa, 2017
Closer than Ever
South Africa, 2017
Call and Response
South Africa, 2016