KETELEER GALLERY is pleased to present the newest solo exhibition by ROA (Ghent, Belgium). The show will contain an entirely new body of work created for the occasion during his residency at KETELEER GALLERY, Antwerp.

Street artist ROA is a muralist from Ghent, Belgium whose work has often been recorded and photographed, but of whom very little is known personally and even less is documented.

ROA is primarily known for his strong obsession with animals. His work has been turning heads across the street art community by bringing birds, rodents, and other animals back into the consciousness of man in the areas they once inhabited. ROA always uses animals that are native to the location he is painting in. If he goes to Mexico for example, which is abundant with roosters, he will paint a rooster. He often combines life, death, and life after death in his murals, something which quickly distinguished him amongst the traditional muralists. His animals are often painted to include skeletons and internal organs, making the sight realistic. As the artist states: “Organs are the vital substances of our body and they represent a lot of the symbolism I like.” ROA’s attention to detail is unique for the street art scene, showcasing his true passion for painting.

The mysterious Belgian artist first began his outdoor endeavours by painting on buildings and warehouses in his hometown. Nowadays, his distinctive black and white paintings can be found worldwide. He created hundreds of murals across Europe and travelled to numerous countries around the world for inspiration.

Some major cities, where his work can be found include London, New York, Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Moscow, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Paris. Roa was part of the exhibition ‘Art in the streets’ in 2011 at MOCA Los Angeles, bringing together the most influential street artists of our time.

Artists: ROA