Wilhelmus C Ruifrok

ARTISTIC BACKGROUNDBorn in Den Hague, The Netherlands 1952New Zealand, citizen 1965Lessons in oil painting, with Nick Stein 1963In 1971 received a Diploma in Graphic Design, (With Merit) at the Christchurch Polytech. In 1972 I studied at the School of Fine Art, University Of Canterbury, achieving high marks but left the following year to paint fulltime. I started exhibiting, my painting tutor, Dick Lovell-Smith purchased five of my paintings at the time. In 1974, I won the Royal Overseas League Award for painting (Art History professor, John Simpson, was the judge). My painting was exhibited in London in 1975. I travelled to Europe in 1978, and exhibited a painting in The Netherlands Royal Academy show, in Roermond. I studied Rembrandt, Mondrian and other artists work in galleries throughout Holland. I continued painting and exhibiting, I was briefly involved in puppetry and theatre on my return. Notably in 1989, I was awarded a QE2 direct support grant, and in 1991, I exhibited this work at the McDougall Art Annex, Christchurch. In 2003, The Te Papa Museum, Wellington purchased Life Spiral. In 2006 Real Art Road Show Purchased and toured Two of my Paintings. Then in 2008 my first public sculpture Stele was unveiled in T...

WILHELMUS CHRISTIAAN RUIFROKBIOGRAPHY.1952Born in the Hague , The Netherlands .1963Lessons in oil painting , with Nick Stein1967Lessons with Maurice Angelo 1971Diploma in Graphic Design Art . ( with merit ) CHCH Polytech .1972Studied at School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury.1974Winner of NZ, Royal Overseas League show . Exhibited painting in London.1976Travelled to Australia. Exhibited a painting in the Adelaide Royal Academy show.1978Travelled to Europe. Exhibited a painting in The Royal Academy Show, Roermond, NL1979Travelled to Australia.1980Theatre Design and Puppetry with Briar Middleditch .1983Robert McDougall . mural project.1989QE2 Direct Support Grant.1991McDougall Art Annex show.1998Merit Award , Cranleigh Barton Awards .2002Part-time Tutor at Creation.2003Purchase of Life Spiral by Te Papa Museum.2006Real Art Road Show , includes two paintings in touring show.2008First Public sculpture, Stele purchased by Temuka Council and Alpine energy.SoloExhibitions.1974CSA Gallery, Christchurch.1975Brook Gifford, Christchurch.1976CSA Gallery, Christchurch.1980Arts Centre, Christchurch.1981Closet Artists Gallery, Auckland.1982CSA Gallery , Christchurch.1983CSA Gallery, Christchurch.1985Aberhart North , Au...