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Irena Keckes

 

irena.prints [at] gmail.com

Professional info
Languages

I am Associate Professor of Art (Printmaking and Drawing) at University of Guam (Sept. 2015 - present). I earned a PhD in fine arts from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, New Zealand (2015), and I hold MFA degree from Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan (2005). My research interests are contemporary printmaking, expanded forms of print, woodcut print, non-toxic printmaking, and ecologically informed Buddhism.  

Croatian

English

Japanese

Work experience
 
Associate Professor of Art (Printmaking and Drawing)

University of Guam

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Communications and Fine Arts

September 2015 - present

Teaching: Printmaking, Drawing, Basic Design, Studio-art courses

 

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant

University of Auckland, Elam School of Fine Arts

​March 2011 -  November 2014

Teaching courses: Printmaking and Drawing 

Skills and Expertise

Teaching 

Visual Arts

Printmaking

Drawing

Contemporary Art

Painting

Papermaking

Design

Art Education

Art History

 

Education
Elam School of Fine Arts, The University of Auckland

​2011 - 2015   PhD with Creative Practice

                        University of Auckland Dotoral Scholarship

As part of my PhD research I created large woodcut prints. I explored art/craft relationship, phenomenology, and notion of repetition. My research looked into if and how eco-Buddhist ideas may inform ecologically mindful attitudes in printmaking.

Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku)

​2003 - 2005          MFA in printmaking

                               Japanese Government (Mombusho) Scholarship 

I mastered Japanese woodblock printmaking method, a non-toxic printmaking process which uses natural materials. My MFA project consisted of a cycle of the 24 prints titled "Time".

Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb

​1994 - 2000          BA Art Education

I studied a range of subjects including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, art history, art theory, methodology, didactics, sociology and psychology of art education. My BA graduation project was the cycle of linocuts "Undersea World" (University of Zagreb Chancellor's Award, 1999).

Awards and Achievements
 
2019                   UOG Creative Research Grant for artist in residency in Pocitelj, Bosnia

2018                   University of Guam CLASS travel grant to present collaborative paper (Irena Keckes and Katarzyna Zymna) "The                                                Encounter. The Process. THe Oucome?", and to exhibit a print installation "Bonding"

2018                   University of Guam Creative Research Grant for artist in residence project in Puebla City, Mexico

2018                   University of Guam Travel Grant to present at SGCI 2018 (Southern Graphics Council International), in Las Vegas

2017                   UOG College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Travel Grant to present a paper and artwork at IMC2017 (International                                  Mokuhanga Conference) Hawai'i HA USA

2017                   UOG College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Travel Grant to present an artwork at SGCI 2017 conference in Atlanta,                                  GA USA

2016                   University of Guam Travel Grant to present at SGCI 2016 conference in Portland, OR USA

2015                   UOG College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Travel Grant, University of Guam to present at Impact 9 International                                      Printmaking Conference in Hangzhou, China

2013                   The University of Auckland Vice Chancellor’s Arts Support Funds Grant

2013                   NICAI Conference and Creative Events Funds (CCEF) for attending Impact 8 International Printmaking Conference in                                       Dundee, Scotland

2011-2014         The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship to study PhD in Fine Arts at University of Auckland, NZ

2002-2005         Mombusho Japanese Government Scholarship to study MFA in printmaking at Tokyo University of the Arts

2004                   Septini Award, Tokyo University of the Arts

2000                   Japan Foundation Prize for the Mino Washi Artist in Residency, Gifu prefecture, Japan

1999                   The University of Zagreb Chancellor's Award for the best student project - the cycle of linocut prints

 

 

Conference Presentations

 

2020 April  (upcoming)   SGCI 2020 Puerto Rico, panel presentation

2018 September               Paper presentation IMPACT 10 International Printmaking Conference, Santanader, Spain

2018 April 4 - 7                  Panel Printmaking in the Pacific, SGIC 2018 Las Vegas conference

2017 September 28 - October 1   International Mokuhanga Conference (IMC) 2017, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, O'ahu, Hawai'i,

                                                           Artist Presentation - a paper on my creative practice

2017 March 15-19 SGCI 2017, Homeward Portfolio

2016 March 8    Academic papers "Expanded Print" and "Contemporary Woodcut: Installation and Animation"

                            37th CLASS Annual Research Conference, University of Guam

2016 March 30 - April 2    Panel presentation "Out of the Frame and Outside the Gallery", SGCI 2016 Flux: The Edge of Today                                                             and Tomorrow, Portland, Oregon

2015 September 22 - 26     Academic Paper "Extended Forms of Print" presented at Impact 9 International Printmaking Conference,                                                       China Academy of Arts, Hangzhou, China

                                                Illustrated Talk  "Elam International Printmaking Workshop 2015 (EIPW 2015)" presented at Impact 9                                                         International Printmaking Conference, China Academy of Arts, Hangzhou, China

2015 January 28           An Artist Talk / Lecture, Elam International Printmaking Workshop and Symposium, University of Auckland

2014 Sept 10-14           Academic Paper presented at the 2nd International Mokuhanga Conference, Tokyo University of the Arts,                                                         Japan. Title:  "Contemporary Print: Reconsidering Expanded forms of Mokuhanga"

                                        Exhibited artwork at the International Exhibition of Prints, 2nd International Mokuhanga Conference, Tokyo

2013 Aug 28– Sept 2    Academic Poster and Portfolio presented at Impact 8 International Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking                                                                       Conference, Dundee University, UK. Title: "Non-toxic Printmaking and Ecologically Engaged Buddhism"

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Artists in residency projects

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2019    Bosnia       Pocitelj Art Colony

2018    Mexico      Grieta Negra Talller, Puebla City

2005    Korea         Haslla Art Symposium, Haslla 

                                Project: woodcut prints on canvas, outdoor print installation "Flags".

2000    Japan         Artists in Residency project "Mino Paper Village", Mino, Gifu prefecture

                                Project: woodcut print installation "Snake", consisting of three 9 m long prints   

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Professional affiliations

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2001 - 2014         Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU)

2013                     Central Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand (CPACNZ)

2016                     Southern Graphic Council International (SGCI)

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Solo exhibitions

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2018    IMPACT 10, International Printmaking Conference, Print installation "Bonding"

              (Irena Keckes and Katarzyna Zimna) , Santander, Spain

2015    Dialogues & Evocations: Irena Keckes / Nim Flora Chan (with Nim Flora Chan), Fo Guan

             Shan Buddhist Temple, Auckland, New Zealand

2014    Woodcuts, Art at Wharepuke, non-toxic print gallery, Kerikeri, New Zealand

             Mindful Repetitions, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

2013    Presence of Absence, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

2012    Unlimited Resonance of Repetition, Elam Projectspace, Auckland, New Zealand

2011    Prints and Paintings, Gallery Saoh & Tomos, Tokyo, Japan

2010    Print exhibition, RBR Art Centre, Tokyo, Japan

2007    Energetic, Intuitive, Emotional, prints, Gallery Karas, Karlovac, Croatia

2006    Inner Space, woodblock prints, Gallery Tomos, Tokyo, Japan

2005    Time, woodblock prints, Miura Art Gallery, Osaka, Japan

2005    Flags, outdoor print installation, Haslla, Korea

2004    Life Cycle, woodblock prints, Gallery Tomos, Tokyo, Japan

2002    Red Threads, paper threads installation, Gallery Nova, Zagreb

2001    Prints and Washi, print and paper installation, Gallery Karas, Karlovac, Croatia

2002    Prints of Joy, print installation, Gallery Karas, Karlovac, Croatia

2000    Paper installation, washi presentation, Gallery V.Karas, Karlovac, Croatia

2000    Undersea World, linocuts, Gallery ZILIK, Karlovac, Croatia

1999    University of Zagreb Chancellor’s Award show, Gallery VN, Zagreb, Croatia

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Group exhibitions

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2019    Poeticas del Arte Contemporaneo, Salon de la Plastica Mexicana, Mexico City, Mexico

2019    Panchina Rosa, Academia di Belle Arti Catania,  Catania, Italy

2018    Isla Center for the Arts, Printmaking Exchibtion, curated by Irena Keckes

2018    Mid America Print Council Conference, University of Wyoming, Portfolio Exhibition: Go West: A Collaborative Turn (October 2018)

2018    9th D'ouro Print Biennial 2018, Portugal

2017    UOG Fine Arts Faculty Biennial Exhibition, Isla Center for the Arts, UOG, Guam

2017    Beauty of Mokuhanga: Discipline & Sensibility, IMC2017 international printmaking exhibition at University of Hawai'i at Manoa                     Art Gallery, O'ahu, Hawai'i

             Homeward Printmaking Exhibition, BUMF Gallery, Arts University Bouremouth, UK

             Homeward Printmaking Exhibiton (part of UOG Poetry Broadsides), Isla Center for the Arts, UOG, Guam

             3rd Global Print 2017, Portugal

             Tribuna Grafika Exhibition 2017, Romania

             International Art Forum Graphics Leopolis, Ukraine  

             SGCI International Printmaking Conference 2017, Atlanta, Terminus: Arrivals & Departures:

             Homeward Portfolio Exhibition, Atlanta, Georgia USA 

2016    International Printmaking Biennale, Northern Print, UK

             International Exhibition of Contemporary Print UOG 2016, Isla Center for the Arts

             Festival of Pacific Arts, Guam Museum & Isla Center for the Arts

             UOG Fine Arts Faculty Biennale, Isla Center for the Arts, Guam

2015    IMPACT 9, International Printmaking Conference, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China

             Wansolwara II, Franklin Art Centre, Auckland NZ

             Elam International Printmaking Exhibition, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, NZ

2014    The 28th Kyoto Art Festival, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Japan

             International Art Exhibition, Keifu Art Gallery, Kyoto, Japan

             Wansolwara: Print Here and Now, Nathan Homestead, Auckland, New Zealand

             International Mokuhanga Exhibition, Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan

2013    The 3rd Art at Wharepuke International Printmaking Show, Kerikeri, New Zealand

             Pangaea 2: Continental Drift, Japanese Consulate-General in Melbourne, Australia

2012    The 26th Kyoto Art Festival, Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto, Japan

             Tallinn Triennial of Drawing, Tallinn, Estonia

2009    Evolution & Change, OT Gallery, Tustin, California, USA

             Two Artists show, KILU studio, Santa Barbara, California, USA

             SBCC group exhibition, Atkinson gallery, Santa Barbara, California, USA

2006    Three Artists Print Show, Gallery 52, Tokyo, Japan

             International Contemporary Art Fair, Prague, Czech R.

             U-35 International Exhibition-Kyoto 2006, Kyoto Art Centre, Japan

             U-35 /60 Artists Exhibition, Nagoya, Japan

2005    Vol2 U-35 International Exhibition, Akarenga Souko, Yokohama, Japan

            Haslla Art Camp, Haslla Art World, Haslla, Korea

            Six Faces, Ginza OS Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

            Pepper's Loft Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

            Tokyo Geidai Graduation show, Tokyo Geidai Museum, Tokyo, Japan

2004    Tokyo Geidai MFA show, Machid amuseum, Machida, Japan

2002    The 3rd Croatian Triennial of Drawing, Contemporary Art Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia

2001    The 2nd Croatian Triennial of Watercolour, VKaras Gallery, Karlovac, Croatia

             International Festival of Theatre and Visual Arts, Tzew, Poland

             Kunstvolle Kraft Neuer Aufgang, Munchen, Germany

2000    Paper Art Village Project in Mino City, Mino Washi Museum, Mino, Japan

2000    Academy of Fine Arts Graduate show, Gallery SC, Zagreb, Croatia

1999    On Four Rivers, Munich, Germany

1998    Pasionska Baština, Klovićevi dvori, Zagreb, Croatia

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