Rick Fraterman

Rick Fraterman is a contemporary Dutch artist known for his vibrant, figurative paintings, detailed architectural models, drawings, and small objects. His creative process involves blending imagery from diverse sources, including stock photo websites, social media, magazines, cartoons, and movie scenes. Through these, he creates visually captivating works that merge humor and social commentary, often exploring themes related to the human condition and the fleeting nature of life.

Rick’s work examines the social realities we experience between birth and death, touching on the daily struggles to find peace, balance, and fulfillment. By using popular and familiar imagery, he crafts accessible visual narratives that connect instantly with viewers.

His works are characterized by bright colors, cartoonish compositions, and a fragmented, symbol-rich style that, while optimistic and playful, subtly critiques society's focus on consumerism and unending desire.

Rick is notably inspired by the “Narrative Figuration” movement that emerged in 1960s France as a reaction against abstraction and consumerism. This movement emphasized figurative art with strong social messages, focusing on everyday life, realism, and storytelling.

He feels tha...

2011 - 2013 Fine Art and Education at ArtEZ University of the Arts Zwolle, Netherlands

2002 - 2005 Fine Art at ArtEZ University of the Arts Zwolle, Netherlands

1998 - 2001 Interior Architecture at Constantijn Huygens University of the Arts Kampen, Netherlands

Solo Exhibitions

2024 An Aesthetics Of Despair - Limmi Ksnow Gallery Shanghai, China
2024 The Motion Of Something - Fun Art Space Kunming, China
2023 Through The Looking Glass - Paper Times Bookstore Xiamen, China
2023 Off-Track - Urban Art Museum Guiyang, China
2021 Seven - Bigger Art Book Fair - Brand Magazine Guangzhou, China
2021 Motion - Like Space Guiyang, China
2021 Freed From Desire - Y Space Guangzhou, China
2021 To Pieces - Macro Pixel Gallery Guiyang, China

Group Exhibitions

2025 BIGGER Art Book Fair - COCO Park Shenzhen, China
2025 Broken Lines; Passive Media and Materials - Moss Gallery Guiyang, China
2025 Circle Back To The Beginning - Huafu Art Space Shanghai, China
2024 City And Event - Wuju Art Gallery Guiyang, China
2023 Fan - Moss Gallery Chemical Fiber Factory Art District Guiyang, China
2023 Reset Graphic Game - Artemis Art Space Guiyang, China
2023 O Kids Run Off - Yuan Art Museum Chongqing, China
2023 Emotional Oscillator - T2 International Contemporary Art Center Chongqing, China
2022 Fluctuate - Goose Bookstore And Gallery Wuhan, China
2022 Present Tense - Guizhou Art Museum Guiyang, China
2021 International Public Art Fair Guangzhou, China
2015 Summer Expo Furious - Artworlds And Kunstmuseum Den Haag, ...