Kirsi Kempkes creates installations and visual work. Through her artistic practice, she balances between two worlds.

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On the one hand, there is that intimate, personal angle. Deeply rooted in self-reflection, in her immediate environment and by using pinhole technique, the work is poetic, mysterious, and sensual in tone. By literally and figuratively baring pieces of herself, she reveals herself in a vulnerable way. It is work that gets close, even under your skin. Her own body and environment serve as material, making the work soft, tangible, and at the same time intense.

On the other hand, Kempkes adopts a conceptual approach when dealing with larger societal or global themes. Moved by injustice, she seeks to combat a sense of powerlessness by taking action through her art. In these works, she chooses a visual language that is detached and clearly defined. By using the 'right' materials, she reinforces her story.

This duality reveals everything about her personality and her drive. Every work stems from a personal urgency, vulnerability, and underlying emotions—such as fear or tenderness—yet always strives for universal expressiveness.

Kirsi Kempkes lives and works in Belgium and Sweden.

Solo exhibitions

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2026 Happy Hospitality II, SECONDroom, Antwerp, Belgium

2025 Eat this, CC De Schakel, Waregem, Belgium

2025 Remnants II, T-Space, Antwerp, Belgium

2025 One year, SECONDroom, Antwerp, Belgium

2023 Be still, my soul, Boom, Belgium

Group exhibitions
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2024 Wonder wall, 4n20, Kortrijk, Belgium

2024 Happy Hospitality, SECONDroom, Antwerp, Belgium

2024 At the time, when we were lost, Boom, Belgium

2023 An ideal for living, SECONDroom, Belgium

2022 The plinth, Biënnale van België, SMAK, Ghent, Belgium

2022 Happiness?, SECONDroom, Antwerp, Belgium

2022 NOCEBO#2, 4n20, Kortrijk, Belgium

2021 NOCEBO, Post X, Merelbeke, Belgium

2021 Labo#5, Kunstenparcours, Leuven, Belgium

2019 Expo, Oude Bibliotheek 'Het Nest', Ghent, Belgium

2019 Pitch Selection, De Donkere Kamer, Sluitertijd, CC Scharpoord,  Knokke-Heist, Belgium

2018 My home is where my heart is, CC De Factorij, Zaventem, Belgium

2018 Unknown Masterpieces, CC Scharpoord, Knokke-Heist, Belgium

2017 Duo expo with Eric De Loof - Academy Of Fine Arts, Ghent, Belgium

2014 LaP, Croxhapox, Ghent, Belgium

Permanent
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2015 Departement Oogheelkunde, Uz Gent, Ghent, Belgium