Ralf Kokke’s (b. 1989) paintings are a celebration of the archaic and the universal, embodying the timeless themes of paradise, nature, and the harmonious coexistence of humans, animals, and the divine. Born into a family of dockworkers in the suburbs of Rotterdam, Kokke draws upon his childhood memories and dreams to craft his visions of a world that is both idyllic and fantastical, where the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred. In his work, Kokke explores the archetypes of Carl Jung, the imagery of cave paintings, Egyptian art, and Sumerian art, to create a visual narrative that transcends cultural and historical boundaries. Through his use of universal symbols and themes, Kokke invites the viewer to rediscover the world through the eyes of a child and to be transported to a place where dreams and reality coexist in perfect harmony.
Solo exhibitions include (Upcoming) Blue Blossom Lions, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2025); Forest Friends, Hans Alf Gallery, Copenhagen (2024); Lazy Angel Tales, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, USA (2024); Wild Roars in Calm Calm Corners, Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, USA (2023); Hooked By Neverland, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2023); Bedtime Stories, Hans Alf Gallery, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2022); Between A Rock And A Hard Place, Hans ALF Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (2021); Art Rotterdam, Mondrian Fund, Concepts and Prospects, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2021).
Group exhibitions include Cute and Catty, Museum MORE, Netherlands (2025); Uit Het Paradijs, Bijbel Museum/Krona Museum, Uden, Netherlands (2024); Licked By Waves, Museum More, Gorssel, Netherlands (2024); CAN Art Ibiza, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (2023); Where the Wild Roses Grow, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2023); Level Unlocked, Andrea Festa Art, Rome, Italy (2023); Art Rotterdam 2022, Galerie Gerhard Hofland (2022); UPRISING, Schloss Gorne, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2022); In Momentum, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2021); Richard Waar?, Pictura, Dordrecht, Netherlands (2021); Last Days Of Summer, Eve Leibe Gallery, Milan, Italy (2021); Enter Art Fair, Hans Alf Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (2021); CAVE CANEM, Eve Leibe Gallery, London, UK (2021); YOUNG DREAMS, Août Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon (2021); WATCHLIST, Galerie Droste, Wuppertal, Germany (2020); OUTBREAK, curated by Wobby.Club, De Pont Museum, Tilburg, Netherlands (2020); Wunderwall, Plue-One Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium (2020); Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, Antwerp, Belgium (2020); To Paint Is To Love Again, curated by Oliver Zahm, Nino Mier Gallery, West Hollywood, California (2020); Naarden, Allard Wildenberg Projects, Naarden, Netherlands (2019); Universes Show 2, curated by Sasha Bogojev, The Garage Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2019); My Biggest Small, Showhouse JayJay, Antwerp, Belgium (2019); Velvet Ropes, GIFC, Antwerp, Belgium (2019).
Highlights and Collections
In 2024, Ralf Kokke was nominated for the Dutch Royal Painting Award in the Netherlands, and a finalist in 2022 for The Royal Award for Modern Painting – the most prestigious painting prize in the Netherlands. In addition, in 2020 Kokke was awarded a Grant from the Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands. Kokke has also received several residences including a Residency at Van Gogh Huis, Zundert, Netherlands in 2020. His works can be found in important private and public collections which include Dordrecht Museum collection, Van Gogh Huis collection, and the Vietnam Art Collection.