As a kid growing up in the council estates of the east side of Edinburgh, there were various
incidents, actions, and real-time cops and robbers. The 1980s council housing urban Britain,
threats of stray dogs, drugs, kicking's, football casuals, and getting lifted for no reason at all
could be a daily minefield. Poverty and alcoholism mixed with a cocktail of glue bags, needles,
and tarry give the polis plenty of work..
It wasn’t all bad; we had plenty of football, outside, and BMXing. Telly was great, but I
chose to zone out of my environment by listening to my parents’ albums and copying the artwork.
For me, buying an album was also like buying a painting. I felt like I belonged to the art scene
that was a million miles away from my reality. People like me were given the option of crime
or taking up a trade, but no artists or visionaries or romantics are allowed here.
chose to zone out of my environment by listening to my parents’ albums and copying the artwork.
For me, buying an album was also like buying a painting. I felt like I belonged to the art scene
that was a million miles away from my reality. People like me were given the option of crime
or taking up a trade, but no artists or visionaries or romantics are allowed here.
Moving to a different housing estate in the early 90s gave me new teenage mates and a taste for
diamond white and soft-black the hits. The next door neighbor introduced Pink Floyd and my dualistic
persona was switched on, Mondays, Roses, and 808 state with the mates, Floyd, The Cure and
The Smiths while painting.
Surprised myself I got into art college in Carlisle, just as Hurst lost the Tuner Prize.
Got asked to leave art collage due to unpaid fees, no surprise really.
Picked up a few artists on the way JM Basquiat ,Howard Hodgkin, Hipgnosis studio and a field trip
to Paris with a tidy looking art student.
Early 20 s menu was drinking and smoking to much while playing with knives, fish guts and
burning myself. Most jobs consisted of taking abuse from all types of prima donna wanker chefs
and restaurant mangers, saying that I could take it for the money to let me painting high as a
kite in a basement under the rich flats in New Town of Edinburgh.
No idea were most of they paintings are, sold a few, mates got a few. Early works lost.
After restudying fine art and graphic design I got to work with David Carson
Labelled by many to be the godfather of grunge design in the early 90s and he has been a influential
in my work in Fine art , there is only authenticity that will come through the work when you
trust your gut .
Art, to me, is an unapologetic expression of the human experience—raw, unfiltered.
My work explores themes of love and poverty, addiction and hope, struggle and resilience.
Through bold digital oils, layered textures, and striking imagery, I aim to challenge perceptions, provoke
thought, and invite viewers into a narrative that is both personal and relatable
Kempes
diamond white and soft-black the hits. The next door neighbor introduced Pink Floyd and my dualistic
persona was switched on, Mondays, Roses, and 808 state with the mates, Floyd, The Cure and
The Smiths while painting.
Surprised myself I got into art college in Carlisle, just as Hurst lost the Tuner Prize.
Got asked to leave art collage due to unpaid fees, no surprise really.
Picked up a few artists on the way JM Basquiat ,Howard Hodgkin, Hipgnosis studio and a field trip
to Paris with a tidy looking art student.
Early 20 s menu was drinking and smoking to much while playing with knives, fish guts and
burning myself. Most jobs consisted of taking abuse from all types of prima donna wanker chefs
and restaurant mangers, saying that I could take it for the money to let me painting high as a
kite in a basement under the rich flats in New Town of Edinburgh.
No idea were most of they paintings are, sold a few, mates got a few. Early works lost.
After restudying fine art and graphic design I got to work with David Carson
Labelled by many to be the godfather of grunge design in the early 90s and he has been a influential
in my work in Fine art , there is only authenticity that will come through the work when you
trust your gut .
Art, to me, is an unapologetic expression of the human experience—raw, unfiltered.
My work explores themes of love and poverty, addiction and hope, struggle and resilience.
Through bold digital oils, layered textures, and striking imagery, I aim to challenge perceptions, provoke
thought, and invite viewers into a narrative that is both personal and relatable
Kempes
Original works by Kempes contact ; pablokempes@gmail.com or on this portfolio
all art work prints are reproduced by Bridgeman Images, London
All of the paintings are high resolution and Intricately detailed for large scale prints, or
collaborate with a unique one off collection.
all art work prints are reproduced by Bridgeman Images, London
All of the paintings are high resolution and Intricately detailed for large scale prints, or
collaborate with a unique one off collection.