BIOGRAPHY
Ralph Roelse (b. 1984, Eersel, the Netherlands) is a contemporary Dutch artist who explores the boundary between painting and vandalism, dissolving the line between the two. His multifaceted practice spans painting, photography, drawing, collage, and video, addressing themes of transformation, impermanence, power, and violence.
Rooted in graffiti—a passion he discovered at age 12—Roelse’s work blends acts of defacement with painterly expression. His art creates tension, where raw, intuitive gestures collide with precise, layered compositions, revealing the interplay between control and chaos.
After studying at SintLucas School of Art & Design, Roelse earned a BFA at the Academy of Art & Design AKV St. Joost in Den Bosch, with an emphasis on conceptualism. Now based in Eindhoven, he draws inspiration from the industrial landscapes at the crossroads of Belgium and Germany, treating these rugged environments as “outdoor studios.” Here, he reimagines traditional graffiti codes through the lens of minimalism and abstract expressionism, blurring the boundaries between public and private, sanctioned and unsanctioned art.
In 2023, Roelse introduced New Dutch Minimalism, a movement and exhibition that reshapes minimalism with a bold, contemporary vision. Its rapidly growing Instagram account amplifies this shift, redefining minimalism for today’s art scene.
CV
EDUCATION
2005 - 2009 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Academy of Art & Design AKV St. Joost, Den Bosch, NL
2000 - 2004 Visual Communication Design, SintLucas School of Art & Design, Boxtel, NL
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 THEY JUST DON’T GET IT, Stedelijk Museum Breda, Breda, NL
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 SHAPE SHIFT, Ruby Soho Gallery, Den Bosch, NL
2025 AARON VAN ERP x RALPH ROELSE, De Compagnie, Veghel, NL
2024 CARGO, Hochschule für Gestaltung, Offenbach, DE
2024 BREAK IT DOWN, Museum iCOON, Hoek van Holland, NL
2024 WITH ONE EYE OPEN, Pennings Foundation, Eindhoven, NL
2024 URBAN ART BIENNALE, Völklinger Hütte World Cultural Heritage Site, Völklingen, DE
2024 TRANSCENDENTAL LANDSCAPES, Museum Jan Heestershuis, Schijndel, NL
2023 WALLSHOW, Diamant Offenbach: Museum of Urban Culture, Offenbach, DE
2023 ANTIGOON x BAROEM x RALPH ROELSE, De Fabriek, Eindhoven, NL
2023 NEW DUTCH MINIMALISM, Kelderman en van Noort, Eindhoven, NL
2021 GLASHARD, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Schiedam, NL
2021 ANTIGOON x RALPH ROELSE, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2016 ABSOLUTE EVENT HORIZON, Schunck, Heerlen, NL
2016 FIRE SALE, Goodspace Gallery, Sydney, AUS
2011 TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, Van Abbe Museum, Eindhoven, NL
2011 ACT/OUT, Onomatopee, Eindhoven, NL
2010 MNEMONIC, KEVN, Eindhoven, NL
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2024 MINIM.AL, with Anne Truitt in Mind, Museum iCOON, Hoek van Holland, NL
2023 NEW DUTCH MINIMALISM, Kelderman en van Noort, Eindhoven, NL
PUBLICATIONS & PRESS
2025 Algemeen Dagblad, Feb. 11th, NL
2025 Eindhovens Dagblad, Feb. 3rd, NL
2021 A Place Called X, Oct. 16th, NL
2018 i-D Magazine, Jul. 17th, NL
2017 Glamcult, Jul. 4th, NL
2016 i-D Magazine, Jul. 18th, NL
2015 Juxtapoz, Jun. 19th, US
2015 VICE, Jun. 19th, NL
2015 Spraybeast, Mar. 5th, UK
2015 Juxtapoz, Mar. 1st, US
2015 VICE, Feb. 18th, NL
2015 SAM Magazine, Issue #2, NL
2014 VICE, Dec. 22th, NL
2014 Vltramarine, Aug. 8th, RUS
2014 Acclaim Magazine, Jul. 7th, AUS
LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS
2024 Diamant Offenbach: Museum Of Urban Culture, Offenbach, DE
2017 SintLucas School of Art & Design, Eindhoven, NL
FUNDS & GRANDS
2021-2023 Emoves Masters, NL
2021-2022 Cultuur Eindhoven, NL
2021 Constant van Renesse Fund, NL
OTHER ACTIVITIES
2015 - Ongoing Commercial Photographer
2015 - 2018 VICE / Photojournalist
2015 - 2017 George & Harrison / Visual Design Manager
2015 - 2016 This Is Our House / Photo Editor
2010 - 2012 Onomatopee / Assistant Curator
COMMISSIONED WALL PAINTINGS
2023 Municipality of Eindhoven, Eindhoven, NL
COMMISSIONED PHOTOGRAPHY
⟶ Discover Portfolio and Additional Information