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About

Raffi Kalenderian’s painting practice centers around portraiture, and explores the possibilities of representation and individuality. Most widely known for his colorfully saturated portraits painted from life, Kalenderian’s work highlights both the psychological state of his sitters and the formal possibilities of their clothing, appearance, and environment. The paintings are composed to establish a tension between the often densely rendered surroundings that the sitter occupies and their solitude. He often paints the people he is closest with, his friends, family, significant others, and the resulting images convey the intimacy they share. In many works, the subjects of his paintings are the focal point, but the background is charged in such a way that it becomes like an extension or secondary representation of that individual. The combination of the flatness of Kalenderian’s works, the off-kilter perspective, and the contrasting colors all create a nonhierarchical composition, suggesting that the armchair a person sits on, for instance, is also permeated by the individual’s psychological state. In recent years, Kalenderian has pursued painting landscapes, equally as expressive and emotive as his portrait paintings, the heavily saturated foliage and mountainscapes are imbued with the presence of another being.

Raffi Kalenderian was born in 1981 in Los Angeles, where he continues to live and work. He graduated with a BFA from UCLA in 2004. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at University Art Museum, Long Beach; Kunstmuseum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland; the Saatchi Gallery, London, UK; Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland; Buchmann Galerie, Berlin; Galerie Lefebvre & Fils, Paris; Lundgren Gallery, Palma de Mallorca, Space; Eleven Rivington, New York, NY; and Brand New Gallery, Milan.

Selected Works

This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Bather." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 20" x 14" [HxW] (50.8 x 35.56 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
“Bather,” 2024
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Bathers." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 36" x 24" [HxW] (91.44 x 60.96 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
“Bathers,” 2024
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Tom." This artwork was created in 2023-2024 and measures 14" x 20" [HxW] (35.56 x 50.8 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
“Tom,” 2023-2024
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Last Bloom." This artwork was created in 2023 - 2024 and measures 20" x 14" [HxW] (50.8 x 35.56 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Last Bloom", 2023 - 2024
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Still Life with Studio Flowers." This artwork was created in 2023 - 2024 and measures 20" x 14" [HxW] (50.8 x 35.56 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Still Life with Studio Flowers," 2023 - 2024
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Chris Odili-Obi (Before the Moon Falls)." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 98" x 70" [HxW] (248.92 x 177.8 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Chris Odili-Obi (Before the Moon Falls)", 2023
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Isis." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 60" x 84" [HxW] (152.4 x 213.36 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Isis", 2023
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Isis." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 72" x 62" [HxW] (182.88 x 157.48 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Isis", 2022
Raffi Kalenderian “Marguerite (Before the Moon Falls),” 2021-2022
Raffi Kalenderian
“Marguerite (Before the Moon Falls),” 2021-2022
Raffi Kalenderian “Kim and Mel,” 2021-2022
Raffi Kalenderian
“Kim and Mel,” 2021-2022
Raffi Kalenderian “Thed Jewel,” 2019
Raffi Kalenderian
“Thed Jewel,” 2019
Raffi Kalenderian “Shanti Reading,” 2019
Raffi Kalenderian
“Shanti Reading,” 2019
Raffi Kalenderian “Masha,” 2018
Raffi Kalenderian
“Masha,” 2018
Raffi Kalenderian “Thomas,” 2019
Raffi Kalenderian
“Thomas,” 2019
This image depicts an artwork by Raffi Kalenderian titled "Jaques." This artwork was created in 2017 and measures 36.50" H x 24.50" W (92.71 cm H x 62.23 cm W). Its medium is Oil, graphite, cold wax on canvas.
Raffi Kalenderian
"Jaques," 2017

Exhibitions

1981
Born in Los Angeles, CA
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA
2004
BFA, University of California, Los Angeles
Residency, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Idyllwild, CA
2007
Residency, St Barthélemy, French West Indies

Selected Solo and Two Person Exhibitions

2025
"Bathers (Nothing Comes From Nothing)," Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
2024
"Eighteen With a Bullet," Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Paris, France
2023
"Raffi Kalenderian: Call The Curtain / Raise The Roof/ Spirits On Tonight," Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
2022
"Across the way moved in a pair
, With passion in its prime,
 Maybe they look through to us, And hope that's them in time," Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland
"Before The Moon Falls," Vielmetter Los Angeles, CA
2021
"Raffi Kalenderian," Nassima Landau Foundation, Tel Aviv, Israel
2020
"Raffii Kalenderian," Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
2019
"Memento Vivo," Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, CA
2018
"Always in Rare Form," Buchmann Galerie, Berlin, Germany (Link)
2017
"Portraits," Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland (Link)
2016
"For the Dead," Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, CA
"Green River," Brand New Gallery, Milan, Italy
2015
"To Walk Through the Night," Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland
2014
"Raffi Kalenderian," Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, CA
"Raffi Kalenderian," Buchmann Galerie, Berlin, Germany
2013
"Paint Work," Buchmann Galerie, Berlin, Germany
2012
"Interior Life," Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland
"Currents, Undercurrents, and Maneuvers," Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, CA
2011
"Raffi Kalenderian," Brand New Gallery, Milan, Italy
2010
"Memoranda," Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland
2008
"Satellites," Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland
2007
"Palimpsest: Selected Works on Paper," Marc Jancou Fine Art, New York, NY
2006
"Wicked Waters," Medium, St. Barthlemy, French West Indies
"Born Under Punches," Black Dragon Society, Los Angeles, CA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024-2025
"25th Anniversary," Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
2024
"Oasis," La Loma Projects, Los Angeles, CA
"Overserved," Curated by Raffi Kalenderian and Alberto Cuadros, Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
"Raffi and Al's Legendary Garden Party," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
"New Works by Lavaughan Jenkins, Mario Joyce, Raffi Kalenderian, Kiriakos Tompolidis," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2023
"Perpetual Portrait," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
"Horizon Line," ABR Contemporary, Miami Beach, FL
2022
"New Visions," Curated by Andrew Reed and Sophia Kardonski, THE LOVE YOU GALLERY, Miami, FL
2021
"In the Meanwhile…Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary Art," Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA
"Via Cafe," Tif Sigfrids, Comer, GA
2020
"20 Years," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2019
"What is an edition, anyway?," McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
2018
"Genius Loci", Setareh Gallery, Düsseldorf, Germany
"To our Fellow Artists and Poets who are Confused About Which Way to Go,” Lundgren Gallery, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2017
"Hotel Kalifornia," Galerie Lefebvre & Fils, Paris, France
"Whats Up New York," LVH Art, New York
2016
"Painter's Painters," Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
“A Verdant Summer,” Taymour Grahne, New York, NY
“Imagine,” Brand New Gallery, Milan, Italy
2013
"Body Language," Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
2011
"Goldmine," curated by Christopher Scoates, UAM, University Art Museum, Long Beach, CA
2010
"Crystal World," Buchmann Galerie, Berlin, Germany
"Die Nase des Michelangelo," Galerie Peter Kilchmann at Marktgasse, Zurich, Switzerland
"Painting," curated by Roger Herman, LA Art House, Los Angeles, CA
"Portraits de Collectionneurs," Muro Gallery, Chtelaine, Switzerland
"Next Generation," Kunstmuseum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
2008
"L.A. Potential: HangArt 7," Salzburg, curated by Lioba Reddeker
"Faces and Figures (Revisited)," Marc Jancou Contemporary, New York, NY
"Stories: Portraits," Eleven Rivington, New York, NY
"Some Paintings: The Third (2007)," LA Weekly Annual Biennal, Track 16 Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2007
"Cali in CPH, Part ii: Bucket of Ice," Co-Lab, Copenhagen, Denmark
"Warhol &," Kantor/Feuer Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2006
"Fall," Black Dragon Society, Los Angeles, CA
"Boat Show," High Energy Constructs, Los Angeles, CA
"Just My Funny Way of Laughing," South La Brea Gallery, Inglewood, CA
2005
"Christmas in July," Black Dragon Society, Los Angeles, CA
2004
"Walk You Home If You Walk Me Home Right After," Los Angeles, CA, curated by Eric Palgon
"Dear Summertime," Black Dragon Society, Los Angeles, CA
"Living in the Ice Age," University of California, Los Angeles, CA
2003
"UCLA Undergraduate Juried Show," Official Selection, Los Angeles, CA
"New Work," University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

Bibliography

2025
Miles McEnery Gallery. "In The Studio With Raffi Kalenderian And Friends," Artforum, May 1
2023
Artnet Gallery Network. "5 Trending Artists Grabbing the Attention of the Artnet Gallery Network This August," Artnet, August 4
2022
Kalenderian, Raffi. "Why This Art: Traveling Through Time with ‘The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light’," Alta, December 21 (Link)
Anderson, Mitchell. "Raffi Kalenderian’s Kaleidoscopic Compositions," Frieze, July 19 (Link)
2021
Soloski, Alexis. "What Megan Mullally Likes: Soft T-Shirts and Sad Songs," New York Times, Feb 9
2019
De Witt, Olivia. "Raffi Kalenderian," Artillery, June 26 (Link)
Irvin, Rebecca. "Raffi Kalenderian celebrates life in his exuberant, colourful, painted portraits," It's Nice That, June 7 (Link)
McNay, Anna. "Raffi Kalenderian – interview: ‘It’s like banging your head against a brick wall, but if you get through to the other side it feels so good'," Studio International, June 4 (Link)
2018
Nash, David. "Kendall Wilkinson Outfits the $15.5 Million Penthouse at San Francisco's 181 Fremont," Architectural Digest, October 30 (Link)
2017
Mahony, Anna, “Must-See Art Guide: Zurich,” artnet news (web), December 14 (Link)
Black, Ezrha Jean, “Best in Show 2016,” Artillery, January/February (Link)
2016
Seed, John, “Raffi Kalenderian: ‘For the Dead,’ at Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects,” Huffington Post, August 23 (Link)
Wagley, Catherine, “5 Free Art Shows to See in LA This Week,” LA Weekly (web), July 27
2015
Seed, John, “Collecting: Robert Shiell,” art ltd., March/April (Link)
2014
Shaw, Michael. "Raffi Kalenderian," ArtScene, July/August
"15 Young Art Stars to Keep Your Eye On," Complex, September 28
2012
Buckley, Annie, "Review: 'Raffi Kalenderian: Currents, Undercurrents, and Maneuvers,' " Art in America, April 2012
Raffi Kalenderian, Modern Painters, New York, April
2011
Latimer, Quinn. "The Nose of Michelangelo," Frieze, March, p. 142
2010
Raffi Kalenderian, Brand New Gallery, Milan, ex. cat.
So kommen Sie gut durch 2011, Art Basel Miami Beach, Eva Karcher, Sddeutsche Zeitung, Wochenende, Munich, No. 303, Dec. 31, p. 5
Raffi Kalenderian, Kunst 10 Zrich, Zurich, Nov. 11 14, pp. 84 85 cat.
Eine kleine Dsternis ist immer da, Ruth Hndler, Capital, Hamburg, No. 9, p. 135
Portraits de Collectionneurs, Tindaro Gagliano, Muro Gallery, Chtelaine, ex.cat.
Meier, Philipp. "Monumentalitt und Zuversicht," NZZ, Zurich, Oct. 16, p. 57
2009
Raffi Kalenderian, Frieze Yearbook, London, England
Meltzer, Burkhard. "Raffi Kalenderian," Frieze, March
2008
Reddeker, Lioba. "L.A. Potential: HangArt 7," Basis Wien, Austria
Kugelman, Kerry. "Raffi Kalenderian at Black Dragon Society," Art Ltd., May
Truong, Hong-An. "A Look at Raffi Kalenederian," Artslant, March
Harvey, Doug. "Some Paintings," LA Weekly, January

Group Exhibition Catalogues and Books

2010
Portraits de Collectionneurs, text by Tindaro Gagliano. Muro Gallery, Châtelaine, Switzerland
Raffi Kalenderian: Memoranda, text by Doug Harvey, Nieves Books, Zurich (monograph)

Public Collections

Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA