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KEVIN DRAPER

KEVIN DRAPER b.  1958 Western Australia

STATEMENT

Draper spent his formative years on the family farm at Narrikup, 30 km north of Albany. His artwork evokes memories and responses that relate to the Albany coast and its immediate agricultural hinterland.

Draper works predominantly with forged steel to create contemporary sculptures that echo aspects of the agricultural environment. Much of his work reflects the actual surface of the land.  His concerns lie not just with the local landscape, but with the elements of nature and the fragile top soil that covers much of the Southern coastal region.

Draper spent 1992 in Basel, Switzerland, on an Artist Exchange project supported by the WA Department for the Arts. He currently lives in Perth and runs a large studio workshop that is accessed by a variety of artists and architects from across the metropolitan area and some regional centres. He lectures at Midland Environmental Art/Design and is an adjunct staff member at Curtin University in Perth, WA.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • 2002 Plantation - The Garage, Bayswater, WA (installation)
  • 1992 Fabrikmattenweg Studios, Basel, Switzerland
  • 1991 Kevin Draper - Sculpture - Lawrence Wilson Gallery, University of WA, Perth, WA
  • 1989 The Beach Gallery, Perth, WA
  • 1985 The Vine Gallery, Mount Barker, WA SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS Between 1987 and 2003, Draper has been involved in numerous selected group exhibitions held throughout Western Australia; Fremantle Arts Centre, John Curtin Gallery, Gomboc Gallery, Mundaring Art Centre, Gallery Dusseldorf, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, The Verge Gallery, Craft Council of WA, Kalla Yeedip Gallery, Perth Galleries and the Vancouver Arts Centre.  In 1991, he was also a participant in 'Australian Perspecta 1991' at the Art Gallery of NSW, 'Sculpture By the Sea' National Sculpture Project held in Albany, Western Australia, and 'Against the Grain' interstate sculpture exhibition.  In 2001, Draper was a participant in the 'Triangle International Artists Workshops' held at John Curtin Gallery, Western Australia.

PRIZES AND COMMISSIONS

    Awards include the Albany Art Competition (Mixed Media 1991) and 'Sculpture by the Sea' (Open Prize 1991)

    Numerous commission pieces (solo and collaborative) have been completed during 1991-2002, with siting for finished pieces including Curtin University, Kings Park, City of Joondalup, Albany (public and private), Mt Barker Senior High School, City of Perth, Narrikup, Bullcreek Shopping Centre, Chinese Consulate (East Perth), Midland Community College, Acacia Prison, Ellenbrook Estate, Belmont Forum, Cannington K-10 School, Mindarie Quays Primary School, Subiaco Train Station, Albany Jetty, Agriculture WA (Albany and Northam) and the National Metal Industry Sculpture Project. 'Theatreworks', a Singaporean commission, was completed in collaboration with Matthew Ngui and Ken Seng Ong in 1997.

REPRESENTATION

    Art Gallery of WA, Albany City Collection, Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, University of Western Australia, Bunbury City Collection, Klubschule (Basel, Switzerland), Great Southern Regional College, Central Metropolitan College, Riddoch Gallery (South Australia), Shire of Swan and various private collections.