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2 unusual facts about Roger Kemp


Roger Kemp

Working in the tradition of Wassily Kandinsky, Kasimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian and František Kupka, he developed a system of symbols and motifs which were deployed in his non-figurative paintings so as to reveal cosmic mysteries, striving in particular to explain man's place in a universal order.

After 20 years of isolated development and unrecognised innovation, Kemp came to prominence in the 1950s as the leader of a small Melbourne-based avant-garde of Geometric Abstractionists, including Leonard French, George Johnson, Inge King and Leonard Crawford.


Antipodeans

Their case was not helped by the fact that they were all enjoying some commercial success, as against their immediate rivals (the local abstractionists Roger Kemp, Leonard French, Inge King and George Johnson) who were struggling.

RMIT Gallery

It holds works by leading Australian artists (many of which are alumni or former faculty of RMIT), such as: Howard Arkley, John Brack, Leonard French, Roger Kemp, Inge King, Max Meldrum, John Olsen, Lenton Parr, Fred Williams and others.


see also