Biography & Artist Statement
BIOGRAPHY:
Born in 1963, prize-winning artist Kenneth Le Riche describes himself as a late bloomer. Having first earned himself a degree in engineering (1986), he worked in a variety of different jobs in different countries. He only started painting in earnest in his late 20’s and didn’t go to art school until he turned 30, when he attended the Foundation Course at Leith School of Art (1994). This paved his way to study at Edinburgh College of Art where he received a BA Hons. (1998) and where he won an Andrew Grant Scholarship. He was also awarded an Erasmus grant for a four-month exchange to the Villa Arson Centre d’Art Contemporain, France.
He was awarded a scholarship to pursue further studies at the New York Academy of Art where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts with distinction (2003).
Le Riche regularly has work selected for the Royal Scottish Academy, the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland Open Exhibitions. He has been a council member for Visual Arts Scotland and is currently a professional member. In 2009, he won the Visual Arts Scotland Purchase Prize.
Le Riche has worked for several arts organisations including the Leith School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, and The New York Academy of Art. He has exhibited widely both in the UK and overseas and has been artist-in-residence at the Leith School Of Art, UK; Amagansett Applied Arts, NY; Odd Nerdrum Studios, Norway; and the International Art Symposium, Jordan. His work is held in numerous collections around the world. Le Riche has his studio practice in Forres, Northern Scotland where he lives with his wife and two children.
Kenneth Le Riche, 2021
ART STATEMENT:
I make things up in my paintings. Taking inspiration from a variety of interests including anthropology, geometry and psychology, I create uncanny dystopian imagery that reflects a belief in the power of art to provoke enquiry. My work explores space and personal symbols challenging perceptions by presenting the ordinary in an unfamiliar way. There are contradictions at play: humanity and the artificial; the banal and the extraordinary. Some elements are cold and hard-edged, others are humane and tender. Figures or animals find themselves in an uncompromising and sterile arena. Ladders, steps, arches, holes and other motifs punctuate the picture plane. There is stillness but it is deceptive, implying a precarious and fragile existence. Transformation awaits but everything stays stuck in its rigid place. The use of perspective invokes the passing of time without action.
The news media, traditional assumptions and social constructs raise questions about our ability to judge our place in the everyday experience. My work endeavours to address the problem of how to represent the uncertain and precarious nature of our reality.
I am a painter who works in oils and mixed media. I also make unique works on paper through drawing or using drypoint, monotype and other print media.
Kenneth Le Riche, 2021
Born in 1963, prize-winning artist Kenneth Le Riche describes himself as a late bloomer. Having first earned himself a degree in engineering (1986), he worked in a variety of different jobs in different countries. He only started painting in earnest in his late 20’s and didn’t go to art school until he turned 30, when he attended the Foundation Course at Leith School of Art (1994). This paved his way to study at Edinburgh College of Art where he received a BA Hons. (1998) and where he won an Andrew Grant Scholarship. He was also awarded an Erasmus grant for a four-month exchange to the Villa Arson Centre d’Art Contemporain, France.
He was awarded a scholarship to pursue further studies at the New York Academy of Art where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts with distinction (2003).
Le Riche regularly has work selected for the Royal Scottish Academy, the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland Open Exhibitions. He has been a council member for Visual Arts Scotland and is currently a professional member. In 2009, he won the Visual Arts Scotland Purchase Prize.
Le Riche has worked for several arts organisations including the Leith School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, and The New York Academy of Art. He has exhibited widely both in the UK and overseas and has been artist-in-residence at the Leith School Of Art, UK; Amagansett Applied Arts, NY; Odd Nerdrum Studios, Norway; and the International Art Symposium, Jordan. His work is held in numerous collections around the world. Le Riche has his studio practice in Forres, Northern Scotland where he lives with his wife and two children.
Kenneth Le Riche, 2021
ART STATEMENT:
I make things up in my paintings. Taking inspiration from a variety of interests including anthropology, geometry and psychology, I create uncanny dystopian imagery that reflects a belief in the power of art to provoke enquiry. My work explores space and personal symbols challenging perceptions by presenting the ordinary in an unfamiliar way. There are contradictions at play: humanity and the artificial; the banal and the extraordinary. Some elements are cold and hard-edged, others are humane and tender. Figures or animals find themselves in an uncompromising and sterile arena. Ladders, steps, arches, holes and other motifs punctuate the picture plane. There is stillness but it is deceptive, implying a precarious and fragile existence. Transformation awaits but everything stays stuck in its rigid place. The use of perspective invokes the passing of time without action.
The news media, traditional assumptions and social constructs raise questions about our ability to judge our place in the everyday experience. My work endeavours to address the problem of how to represent the uncertain and precarious nature of our reality.
I am a painter who works in oils and mixed media. I also make unique works on paper through drawing or using drypoint, monotype and other print media.
Kenneth Le Riche, 2021
Artist CV
EXHIBITIONS
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SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 Upstairs Gallery, Inverness, UK 2018 Orchard Road Studios, Forres, Moray, UK 2017 The Moray Art Centre, Findhorn, Moray, UK 2011 Patriot Hall Gallery, Edinburgh, UK 2010 Axolotl Gallery, Edinburgh, UK 2008 soloNOVA Art Festival, Union Square, New York City, USA The Kunst Gallery, Edinburgh, UK The Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, UK 2006 Estudi Obra Vista, La Raval, Barcelona, Spain 2005 Estudi Obra Vista, La Raval, Barcelona, Spain 2004 Centre Stage Gallery, Chelsea, New York, USA 2000 The Reynolds Gallery, Edinburgh, UK 1999 The Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, UK |
SELECTED MIXED EXHIBITIONS
2021 "Flow" VAS Members Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK 2020 Royal Scottish Academy, Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh, UK Aberdeen Artists Society, Aberdeen, UK 2019 Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh, UK Members' Exhibition, An Talla Solais, Ullapool, UK Society of Scottish Artists, Edinburgh, UK 2018 RSW Open Exhibition, The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK RSA Exhibition, The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh,UK Oseana Kunst & Kultursenter, Bergen, Norway 2017 Sutton Gallery, Edinburgh, UK RSA Exhibition, The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, RSA, Edinburgh, UK 2016 Visual Arts Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK Moray Art Centre,Findhorn, Moray, UK 2015 The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, RSA, Edinburgh, UK ART4X, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK 2014 The Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, UK 2013 Visual Arts Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK 2012 Scottish Society of Artists, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK 2011 New Hampshire Institute of Art, USA Visual Arts Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK 2010 Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh, UK 2009 Invited Guest Artist, Scottish Society of Architect Artists, Smith Museum, Stirling. Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh, UK 2008 Remal Arts Centre, Amman, Jordan Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh, UK 2007 Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh, UK Imagination Art Gallery, Edinburgh, UK 2006 La Exposici'n Realismos - travelling exhibition, Spain Cuixart Foundation, Barcelona, Spain Stricoff Fine Art, Chelsea, New York, USA 2005 INBAL, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2004 Stricoff Fine Art, Chelsea, New York, USA 2003 Artists' Night 7!, New York, USA 2002 Artspace, New York Sotheby's, New York 2001 New York Academy of Art Student Exhibition, New York 2000 Rene Lizard Gallery, New York 'Two Years On', The Leith Gallery, Edinburgh 1999 Visual Arts Scotland, RSA, Edinburgh Scottish Society of Artists, RSA, Edinburgh New Graduates', Stenton Gallery, East Lothian, UK 'New Graduates', The Leith Gallery, Edinburgh |
ART RESIDENCIES
2008
International Art Symposium, Amman, Jordan
2005
Assistant to Odd Nerdrum
2003 -4
Amagansett Applied Arts Artist in Residence, New York, USA
1998 - 1999
The Leith School of Art Artist in Residence, Edinburgh, UK
1997
Villa Arson, Ecole Pilote Internationale d'Art, Nice, France
International Art Symposium, Amman, Jordan
2005
Assistant to Odd Nerdrum
2003 -4
Amagansett Applied Arts Artist in Residence, New York, USA
1998 - 1999
The Leith School of Art Artist in Residence, Edinburgh, UK
1997
Villa Arson, Ecole Pilote Internationale d'Art, Nice, France
SELECTED COMISSIONS
1999 - On Going
A number of drawing and painting commissions over the years including two by Mrs Eileen Gugenheim in New York, Lady Wemyss, Edinburgh, two by Sir Angus and Lady Grossart, Edinburgh and a series of paintings commissioned by The African American Museum of Harlem in New York, USA
A number of drawing and painting commissions over the years including two by Mrs Eileen Gugenheim in New York, Lady Wemyss, Edinburgh, two by Sir Angus and Lady Grossart, Edinburgh and a series of paintings commissioned by The African American Museum of Harlem in New York, USA
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2009
Purchase Art Prize, Visual Arts Scotland
2000 - 2003
The New York Academy of Art Fellowship, USA
2000
Shortlisted for the Eric Fischl Scholarship
1997
Erasmus Grant to attend Villa Arson, France
1995
Awarded Andrew Grant Scholarship
Purchase Art Prize, Visual Arts Scotland
2000 - 2003
The New York Academy of Art Fellowship, USA
2000
Shortlisted for the Eric Fischl Scholarship
1997
Erasmus Grant to attend Villa Arson, France
1995
Awarded Andrew Grant Scholarship
SELECTED EMPLOYMENT RECORD
2014 - On Going
Self-employed Artist/Tutor/Consultant - developing my own studio practice and teaching practice, mentoring individual artists.
2006 - 2014
Figurative Painting Course Leader and Drawing Course Leader, The Leith school of Art, Edinburgh, UK.
2006 - 2012
Drawing Tutor, Design School, Edinburgh College of Art, UK.
2005 - 2006
Painting in Spain.
2005
Painting in Israel and Jordan.
2004 - 2005
Art Teacher, The Edinburgh Academy, UK
2003 - 2004
Art Tutor, Amagansett Applied Arts, New York, USA
2003 - 2004
Art Tutor, Riverdale Community Art Centre, New York
Art Teacher, East Harlem School, New York
2003
Artist/Muralist, Richard Smith Studios, New York, USA
2000 - 2003
The New York Academy of Art Fellowship, New York, USA
1994 - 2000
Art Tutor/Technician, The Leith School of Art, Edinburgh
1992 - 2000
Stained Glass Artist (incl. apprenticeship), The Edinburgh Stained Glass House, Edinburgh, UK
1986 - 1992
Mechanical Engineer, Norwegian Contractors, Norway
Ski Instructor, Andorra
TEFL teacher, Spain, Japan, UK
Jackaroo, Australia
Gardener, Canada
Self-employed Artist/Tutor/Consultant - developing my own studio practice and teaching practice, mentoring individual artists.
2006 - 2014
Figurative Painting Course Leader and Drawing Course Leader, The Leith school of Art, Edinburgh, UK.
2006 - 2012
Drawing Tutor, Design School, Edinburgh College of Art, UK.
2005 - 2006
Painting in Spain.
2005
Painting in Israel and Jordan.
2004 - 2005
Art Teacher, The Edinburgh Academy, UK
2003 - 2004
Art Tutor, Amagansett Applied Arts, New York, USA
2003 - 2004
Art Tutor, Riverdale Community Art Centre, New York
Art Teacher, East Harlem School, New York
2003
Artist/Muralist, Richard Smith Studios, New York, USA
2000 - 2003
The New York Academy of Art Fellowship, New York, USA
1994 - 2000
Art Tutor/Technician, The Leith School of Art, Edinburgh
1992 - 2000
Stained Glass Artist (incl. apprenticeship), The Edinburgh Stained Glass House, Edinburgh, UK
1986 - 1992
Mechanical Engineer, Norwegian Contractors, Norway
Ski Instructor, Andorra
TEFL teacher, Spain, Japan, UK
Jackaroo, Australia
Gardener, Canada
SELECTED EDUCATION
2000 - 2003
MFA Painting (cum laude), New York Academy of Art, USA
1994 - 1998
BA Honours Painting, Edinburgh College of Art, UK
1993 - 1994
Foundation Course, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, UK
1981 - 1986
BSc Honours Mechanical Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
MFA Painting (cum laude), New York Academy of Art, USA
1994 - 1998
BA Honours Painting, Edinburgh College of Art, UK
1993 - 1994
Foundation Course, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh, UK
1981 - 1986
BSc Honours Mechanical Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
