Ralk Kokke

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. Kokke earned a BFA in Painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp.

 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.