The Art Journal
Water Chess: A Game Played on Liquid Canvas
Water Chess " The water is my collaborator. I don't impose; I respond. Each photograph is a negotiation between my vision and nature’s fleeting compositions." Ralph Kerle Captured on February 5, 2025, at 7:59 am using a Sony RX100 Mk6 at 1/100 sec, f/8, Water Chess is a testament to the fleeting beauty found on the water’s surface at Fisher Bay, Middle Harbour Sydney, Australia. As with all my works in the Paintings on Water series, the artwork emerged through a creative process where the camera became my paintbrush, gently moving across the water, assisted by the natural drift of my kayak. Each subtle shift in light, tide, and movement contributed to the final composition, with no digital manipulation — just nature painting itself. In the stillness of that early morning, moored boat fenders hung down, their reflections stretching and distorting across the calm surface like chess pieces poised for a slow, deliberate game. The gentle lap of water caused each fender to sway, their mirrored forms becoming abstract yet purposeful. It was as though the water itself had created a liquid chessboard, with each ripple a potential move in an unseen strategy. I framed the shot at water level, allowing the natural abstraction to compose itself directly in-camera. The golden reflection of a nearby building acted as a soft, textured backdrop, contrasting with the strong verticals of the fenders — symbols of man-made order gently surrendering to nature’s inherent chaos. Water Chess reflects my belief that water is the ultimate artist. It paints with light, color, and motion, constantly creating and dissolving compositions in ways no human hand could replicate. My role as the artist is not to control or impose, but to respond — to let nature guide my lens and allow the water’s ephemeral artistry to unfold. This work invites quiet contemplation — a reminder of life’s impermanence and the beauty found in the unnoticed moments around us. Whether seen as abstract forms or chess pieces in a liquid game, Water Chess captures the delicate balance between order and flux, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect on the hidden stories within each fleeting reflection. Water Chess is available as a limited edition giclée print (edition of 3) on Hahnemühle German Etching Rag, 100 x 110 cm. To acquire this rare work, click here.
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Tides of Venus: Reflections on Beauty, Love & Transformation
Tides of Venus – Mythology in Motion Venus has always fascinated me—not just as a goddess but as an idea, a presence that is both visible and elusive. In Tides of Venus, I was able to capture her essence not as a figure but as a movement, a reflection that shifts and transforms, just like love, time, and the self. Rather than emerging from the water, Venus becomes it. The rippling reflections distort and reveal her form, making her both there and not there. Her essence is fluid—like the tide, like passion, like the very nature of seeing. Venus in Water – A Reflection of Love and Transformation Using AI, Tides of Venus in motion is an entirely different experience. As light interacts with the image, it mimics the way water distorts and reforms itself, just as Venus does in mythology. The way the colors shift with movement makes the piece feel alive—never fixed, never the same twice. Watching it, I feel like I’m witnessing the emergence of Venus in her many guises over and over again, each moment a new transformation. The Art of Reflection – How Light, Colour and Space Shape Perception I love how Tides of Venus changes depending on where it’s placed. The way it interacts with its surroundings is a key part of its experience. Color is an essential part of that. Every shade carries meaning, reflecting the mythological and emotional depth of the piece: Deep blues – The vastness of the ocean, the subconscious, the unknown.Reds – Passion, longing, the life force that surges like a tide.Whites – Foam, purity, fleeting moments of divine clarity. These colors shift in intensity depending on the space and lighting, just as Venus’s presence changes in different stories—sometimes a gentle muse, sometimes an overwhelming force. A Contemporary Elegance in Minimalist Spaces The clean, industrial backdrop here allows the artwork to take center stage. The deep blues and rich reds contrast beautifully with the neutral tones, while the geometric forms in the furniture echo the fluid distortions within the piece. There’s a sense of movement here—like Venus shaping the space, drawing the eye through her tide-like presence. A Statement in Luxury Interiors Framed and placed in a modern, open space, Tides of Venus takes on a more structured presence. The crisp white frame creates a striking boundary, intensifying the colors within. The artwork becomes an anchor point in the room, inviting contemplation while remaining fluid, never fully captured—just as Venus is never static. A Serene Presence in a Private Retreat This is where Tides of Venus truly comes alive. The red of the bathtub mirrors the bold strokes within the artwork, creating a perfect dialogue between the two. The play of natural light across the surface means the piece will change throughout the day, just as water itself is never still. Here, Venus embodies relaxation, reflection, and a deep connection to the elements. Own Tides of Venus This limited edition print is available in museum-quality archival paper, ensuring its depth and vibrancy last a lifetime. Details: Multiple size options Hand-signed & numbered certificate of authenticity Worldwide shipping available 💫 Experience Venus in motion.
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Exploring the Submerged Realm: AI, Photography & the Art of Seeing
The Submerged Realm Introduction August 24, 2020 – Middle Harbour, Sydney, 8:14 AM A moment captured. A reflection distorted. A world unseen until now. I took this digital photograph while kayaking, using my Sony RX100 Mark 7 at F8—a constant setting that allows me to focus on the act of seeing rather than adjusting controls on the go. Over the years, I’ve built a library of over 80,000 images, each one a fleeting moment where light, water, and movement merge to create something unexpected. But what happens when technology, particularly AI, enters the creative process? From Reflection to Immersion: Luma Dream Machine & the Expanded Vision When I first looked at this image, I felt as though I was slipping into another world—one shaped not just by light, but by unseen forces beneath the waves. My mind conjured up strange marine creatures, part organic, part mechanical, adrift in a subconscious dreamscape. This was where AI became a tool to realize what my imagination already saw. Using Luma Dream Machine, I transformed this still image into a moving, surreal underwater world—a space where reflections become portals, and reality bends into something both familiar and unknown. The AI didn’t replace my artistic vision; it amplified it, giving form to what existed in my mind’s eye. Watch the transformation unfold in the video below. Seeing Submerged Realm in Space Art isn’t just about what we see—it’s about how it feels in a space. Seeing Submerged Realm outside of the screen or frame transforms its presence. Whether displayed in a gallery or a private collection, it becomes a portal to another world. 🖼️ “Here’s how Submerged Realm takes on a new dimension in a modern interior.” Placing it in a gallery setting enhances its immersive quality, inviting viewers to step deeper into its dreamscape. 🖼️ “In a gallery space, the reflections seem to shift as you move around the room, mirroring the dynamic nature of the artwork.” Look Closer at the Submerged Realm I often wonder what is beneath the surface when I’m on it… Suddenly, a jump, a movement—my mind conjures up images. Shapes shift, reflections distort—strange creatures emerge, both organic and mechanical. This is no ordinary ocean… it is a dreamscape, a world just beyond reach. Drifting between the known and the unknown, it pulls me deeper… into the Submerged Realm. Technical Process & AI’s Role in Expanding Creative Boundaries Photography captures a moment. AI allows that moment to evolve. With tools like Luma Dream Machine, we’re no longer bound by what the camera sees, but rather what the artist envisions beyond the frame. In this case, AI helped bridge the gap between a static reflection and an immersive moving dreamscape, mirroring the way I experienced that fleeting morning on the water. Close Up The Submerged Realm 🎨 This artwork is available for purchase. To inquire about availability, pricing, and custom sizes, click here or visit my gallery.
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Reflections on Progress: From Industry to Algorithm
A Satirical Look at Technological Evolution Through Art I have long believed that water is the perfect storyteller. It distorts, reshapes, and reinvents reality, forcing us to see the world in new ways. These works are my aesthetic statement on technological evolution, inspired by modern masters and their influence on visual art. Using digital techniques and AI, I sought to reinterpret this progression through a liquid lens, blending abstraction with recognizable forms to honor the past while exploring the possibilities of contemporary expression. My approach fuses the organic with the mechanical, reflecting how industry, data, and creativity now coexist. This interplay between tradition and technology fuels the whimsical, almost cartoonish nature of these pieces, allowing them to serve as both satire and contemplation. At first glance, the works appear playful, but beneath the humor lie deeper truths. One of my collectors, an academic specializing in economic history, was drawn to The Meltdown of the Industrial Revolution, proving that these pieces tap into something profound—perhaps even inevitable. The Meltdown of the Industrial Revolution The Meltdown of the Industrial Revolution: A Liquid Factory in Chaos The Industrial Revolution was all about fire, steel, and sweat—a time of relentless ambition, of machines growing larger than life. Yet, looking back, I can’t help but see it as a fever dream, one that burned so hot that it was bound to collapse under its own weight. In The Meltdown of the Industrial Revolution, smokestacks, gears, and factory facades dissolve into watery chaos. Once-rigid structures twist and ripple, as if the industrial age itself is overheating, liquefying into absurdity. One could argue that the Industrial Revolution never truly ended. Instead, it metamorphosed into something faster, wilder—something propelled by invisible forces rather than steam and coal. And that brings us to the second piece in this narrative. Viral Propulsion Viral Propulsion: The Speed of Everything If the Industrial Age was about muscle and mass production, then the digital age is about velocity—ideas, data, and viruses (both biological and virtual) spreading at speeds unimaginable just a century ago. In Viral Propulsion, lines shoot off in every direction, forms stretch and bend as though being hurled through space at impossible speeds. It’s a world unanchored, where nothing stays still long enough to be understood. We’ve swapped gears for algorithms, pistons for pixels, but the underlying compulsion remains the same—faster, more, now. Just as the Industrial Revolution reshaped landscapes with its towering factories, this age has sculpted its own bizarre topographies: screens, networks, and perpetual connectivity. But where does all this momentum lead? And who, if anyone, is steering? The Algorithmnist The Algorithmist: The Reign of the Invisible Hand Today, we stand at the mercy of the Algorithmist. Where once we built machines, now the machines build us—or at least, they tell us what to watch, what to buy, and, increasingly, what to think. The Algorithmist is a reflection of this eerie omnipresence. The forms are no longer as chaotic as in Viral Propulsion; they have settled into something smoother, more controlled—yet unmistakably artificial. The lines have an eerie precision, as if the water itself has been coded, optimized, and refined. What appears organic is, in fact, dictated by an unseen force. The Algorithm doesn’t shout like the factories of the past; it whispers, nudging us toward conclusions we believe we arrived at ourselves. This is not a dystopian lament. It is, like all my work, an observation, an invitation for the viewer to step back and reconsider what they see. Perhaps you will look at these pieces and laugh. Perhaps you will see something unsettling beneath the surface. Either way, the reflections tell the story in their own liquid language—one of transformation, absurdity, and the relentless march of progress. A Reflection on Reflection I never intended these works to be definitive statements on history or technology. Instead, they are provocations, snapshots of an ever-evolving world seen through the only lens I trust: water. Whether we are melting, accelerating, or succumbing to the Algorithm, one truth remains—the tide of progress is unstoppable, and its ripples shape the future before our very eyes.
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Outside the Watership: A Whimsical Journey Beyond Earth’s Horizons
A new work, born of whimsical thoughts and the playful imagination, unfurls like a story within a story. It is as if the universe has gently whispered to me through the lens of my camera, inviting me to share its distant, celestial view. This artwork, Outside the Watership, captures a moment that feels almost like an astronaut’s floating glance back at Earth from the quiet solitude of space. It is the reflection of a boat on still water, yet to me, it could be the sleek, curving hull of a spaceship, its polished surface glinting under an alien sun as it hovers just outside the reach of gravity, silently orbiting the world below. When I kayak through the world, each photograph I take seems to encapsulate a new way of seeing—like stepping outside the boundaries of what is known, much as an astronaut might feel when leaving the comforting embrace of their spaceship and taking a step into the unknown of space. I have often felt that my perspective, with the lens of a camera in hand and the world shifting beneath me, mirrors that astronaut's detached yet intimate experience. Through these waters, I see the universe reflected back, offering glimpses of a larger story—one that stretches across time and space. Outside the Watership is not just a photograph. It is an invitation to step into the narrative of exploration and discovery, to see the world as though we are drifting beyond it, like a spaceship on a quiet orbit, watching the ripples of life below.
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At the End of the Road: Animating My original Vision
As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to the idea that the journey matters as much, if not more, than the destination. My photograph, At the End of the Road, was inspired by this philosophy—a quiet reflection on the beauty and mystery of transitions. But something about the still image felt incomplete, as though the story it wanted to tell extended beyond the frame. That’s when I turned to animation and LUMA.AI. By animating this work, I sought to expand its boundaries and invite viewers into the world I saw when I first captured the image. Using LUMA.AI’s innovative coding techniques, I was able to breathe life into the photograph, allowing it to evolve dynamically in ways I could never achieve with a paintbrush or camera alone. For me, this process wasn’t just about movement. It was about exploration—of the image, of its emotional layers, and of the limitless creative potential AI offers. The animation unfolds as a journey in itself, mirroring the unpredictable paths we navigate in life. It invites viewers to experience the work not as a fixed moment, but as a living, breathing story that evolves with every frame. At the End of the Road is a deeply personal piece, and animating it has given me a new way to share my vision. It’s not just about what lies at the end; it’s about how we travel, what we notice, and how we reflect along the way. This animation is my invitation to you: join me on this journey, and let’s see where the road takes us.
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Landscape of Blood: AI-Animated Art on War and Destruction by Ralph Kerle
Ralph Kerle’s short animation film, Landscape of Blood, is a poignant and evocative exploration of violence’s deep emotional and psychological impact. Derived from his original artwork, Landscape of Blood, the animation takes the still image and breathes new life into it using AI technology. This dynamic transformation enhances the raw intensity of the piece, transitioning from static photography to a haunting visual experience that deepens the viewer's engagement with the subject matter. The film opens with a mesmerizing display of fiery reds, which initially evoke awe and grandeur. However, as the animation unfolds, the explosive chaos and destruction behind the image become apparent. The stark contrast between beauty and violence speaks to the complexities of the political and social issues Kerle aims to address. Through this innovative approach, Kerle uses animation to amplify his political statement, rejecting the ravages of war and violence in a contemporary context. The title, Landscape of Blood, symbolizes the unsettling reality of conflict, both in its physical devastation and its psychological toll. The use of AI in animating the original artwork elevates its impact, creating a visceral experience that speaks to the chaotic nature of war. This aligns with Pablo Picasso's assertion that "Art is an instrument in the war against the enemy." Kerle channels this sentiment, using his art to challenge the forces of destruction, offering an unsettling yet powerful reminder of the havoc wrought by violence.
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The Indeterminate Sublime Exhibition opens the new Kalve Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania
When Ramune Kliukaite visited my gallery in Manly, Australia during her tenure at the Lithuanian Embassy in Canberra, I never imagined that two years later, my exhibition The Indeterminate Sublime from the Rothko Museum would feature as the opening show for Kalve Gallery, a new upscale art and design space in Užupis—known as the Independent Republic of Artists—in Vilnius, Lithuania. Kalve Gallery was conceived and designed by Ramune and her partner, Ramunas Kalvenas, after their return to Lithuania. Their vision was to create a space that showcases modern, sustainable design products—from furniture to unique artworks. Ramunas Kalvenas, one of Lithuania’s leading designers, is internationally renowned with a global client base. The Indeterminate Sublime exhibition explores the intersection of abstraction, nature, and the subconscious, offering viewers an emotional and meditative experience. The works draw inspiration from the subtle interplay of color, light, and texture in natural landscapes, reflecting a connection to the philosophies of Mark Rothko and the emotional resonance of color field painting. The exhibition invites viewers to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in the mysterious and transformative qualities of abstraction. Following its successful debut at the Rothko Museum in Latvia, I was keen to tour The Indeterminate Sublime in Europe. Ramune and Ramunas’s invitation to showcase it at the opening of the Kalve Gallery came at the perfect time. The exhibition will run at Kalve Gallery until the end of February 2025.
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In Search of Not Far to Paradise 3: An Invitation to My Creative World
I’d like to invite you into my creative thinking process—to share not only the genesis of my new work but also the influences and outcomes that shape it. The best way I know to connect with you is to take you into the environment that inspires me through a video. The video reveals the essence behind Not Far to Paradise 3—an ethereal, dreamlike landscape where light, color, and reflections converge to create an almost otherworldly realm. It’s a glimpse into the mystical space that sparked the work’s creation. The dynamic textures and hues—evoking the surface of water, shimmering skies, or distant horizons—blur the line between abstraction and reality, offering an immersive, meditative journey. What do you see? Does it evoke a memory, an emotion, or a sense of place? Your interpretations might reveal dimensions I hadn’t even considered, adding to the story of this artwork. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what does Not Far to Paradise 3 reveal to you?
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Ralph Kerle’s ART Opens new temporary Sydney gallery
Ralph Kerle’s Art, my new temporary gallery is NOW open at Brookfield Place, Lobby Level 301 George Street Sydney. Hours Monday - Sunday 8ish to 6ish. Come by and say hullo. Lots of new work coming up for viewing!
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How My Art Inspired Water, a Poem by Jeremy Gadd Published in the Brussels Review
Impressions of a Turner Landscape I was recently honored to learn that *Impressions of a Turner Landscape* inspired a poem by Jeremy Gadd, an internationally recognized and published poet. Jeremy, who has long been admired for his evocative verse, found a deep connection with the abstraction and emotional resonance in my work. His poem, Water, reflecting these themes, has now been published in the *Brussels Review*. The *Brussels Review* is an esteemed international literary journal known for publishing works that push boundaries in poetry, fiction, and essays. It’s a platform that regularly features both emerging and established writers, offering a wide readership and critical acclaim to its contributors. The publication of Jeremy's poem in this respected journal adds another layer of meaning to the work, reflecting the shared dialogue between visual art and literature. Water (Written after viewing artist Ralph Kerle’s Impressions of a Turner Landscape) Shapeless but capable of all shapes,water wraps the world in a liquid embrace,shape shifts to vapour or to ice,creating rain or holding vessels like a vice. Water emerged from a Hadean world,when Creation’s breath gently blewand cooled the surface of the seascreating ripples, waves, tsunamis. We are one with water:mainly fluid, our cellular ancestorsemerged wet onto the land beforegrowing limbs upon the sand. As essential to life as air,water is adaptable, flexible;finding routes of least resistanceit travels daunting distances to be free and water symbolizes purity: souls areritually shrived from sanctified bowls and,more prosaically, we wash in water andluxuriate in baths to sooth sore muscles. Water sends us messages within itsdark whirlpools and eddies of darkness;its turbulent corkscrews, tormentedlike distressed states of mind. But is anything actually what it seems?Like the artist, manipulating what we see,there is the possibility water crystalscan change shape dynamically and, if exposed to pleasant music,positive words or even thoughts, water crystalswill be perfectly formed but, if subjected tonegative energy, are ugly or deformed. Whether true or false, one thing is certain,fouling sources of fresh water and treatingthe sea as a pigsty will be the final curtain.Without clean water all life dies.
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The difference between perception and sense: how we make sense
Appassionata - If it is not a landscape, what is it a photo of? On Friday, September 27, 2024, we explored the intricate relationship between perception and sight, highlighting how we interpret the world. The evening bridged art and science, offering insights into both realms. Why I Support the Sydney Eye Hospital Forty years ago, I faced a rare eye condition that threatened my vision. The recommended treatment in the U.S. cost over $250,000, but I found a leading surgeon in Bondi, Sydney, who restored my sight with a corneal transplant for just A$700. This transplant is now over 40 years old. Supporting the Sydney Eye Hospital is deeply personal—raising awareness of our incredible healthcare system and its world-class ophthalmologists is a mission close to my heart. The Evening's Journey Ralph Kerle explains Underwater Lillies The program focused on two key areas: 1. **Perception from an Artist’s View**: I shared how our brains process visual information from an artistic perspective. 2. **The Science of Sight**: Dr. Con Petsoglou, Director, NSW Medical Tissue Bank, Associate Professor, University of Sydney and senior ophthalmologist who has helped maintain my vision for 30 years, explained the physiology of the eye and its interaction with the brain. Together, we explored how my eye condition influences my artwork. Sight and My World as an Artist Top down and bottom up elements. Vision dominates how we interpret the world, accounting for over 72% of our sensory input. Nobel laureate Eric Kandel provides a framework for understanding this. He explains perception through two processes: **Bottom-Up Processing**: Our brain’s instinctual response to visual stimuli. **Top-Down Processing**: How past experiences shape what we see. Kandel’s concept of **unconscious inference** shows how perception is an illusion shaped by both immediate input and personal history. Dr. Con Petsoglou’s Insights Dr. Petsoglou detailed the condition known as **keratoconus**, a corneal disorder that distorts vision. As someone living with this condition, his explanation resonated with me. The distortions caused by keratoconus shape how I see and interpret the world, which directly influences my art. My Artistic Journey I shared how my artistic path evolved, from my early days in multimedia to discovering kayaking as a source of inspiration. On the water, I saw reflections that resembled abstract masterpieces, which I began capturing and sharing. My eye condition didn’t hinder my creativity—it enriched it, allowing me to present the world uniquely. The Intersection of Art and Science The evening demonstrated how understanding sight enhances our appreciation of perception in art. Likewise, artistic perspectives offer insights into scientific concepts. We concluded with an audience member sharing their interpretation of my artwork, **"Appassionata,"** reaffirming that each of us perceives the world uniquely. Thank you to all who joined this enlightening journey. Let's continue to explore the myriad ways we make sense of the world. --- *Interested in seeing the world through my lens? Explore my latest works at Ralph Kerle Art Event Sponsors
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