Alexander Kai (2002) is a young, largely self taught, emerging artist from Wiltshire, UK.
He grew up in the countryside village of All Cannings and, even from a young age, showed interest in the arts and culture. His passion for art has continued to evolve over the years, fuelling a fire to carve himself a career as an artist.
Alexander’s artwork focuses primarily on the human form and aims to explore the complexity of the human condition. He strives to explore different characters and personalities within the figures he paints and to show emotional qualities underrepresented in society. Imperfections are a part of us and by depicting them unwaveringly in his work, it makes them all the more natural, human and beautiful. His passion is for finding beauty in all its forms and capturing it so that it may resonate further through his work, inviting people to take a moment to see deeper than the surface.
Alexander enjoys experimenting with different mediums and techniques in order to reflect the energy and soul of his subjects. His most commonly used materials include oil paints, charcoal and pastels. He also works in clay and has taken up sculpting alongside his painting and drawing practice. By working in both 2D and 3D, he has been able to develop a greater understanding of the physicality of his subjects which in turn allows him greater freedom in his respective mediums to capture a true likeness and spirit.
In 2022 Alexander began a year studying with Nicholas Beer at Sarum Studio, an atelier in Salisbury. Through this training he gained insight into traditional methods of oil painting and portraiture, which have been passed down over generations and can be traced back to John Singer Sargent.
He is now studying at The Florence Academy of Art in Italy, where he seeks to learn more about traditional skills and techniques of the old masters.
Alexander is currently fundraising to enable him to continue his studies in Florence and complete the 3 year program at The Florence Academy of Art. If you would like to support his studies, please click on the link below, which will take you to his fundraising page to find out more.
Alexander held his first solo exhibition in July 2023 at the magnificent venue of St Mary’s Church, Devizes. You can read more about the exhibition here.
Achievements:
SAA Professional Artists of the Year 2023 Finalist
Figures in Focus, first solo exhibition held at St Mary’s Church, Devizes - 6-9 July 2023
Highly Commended in the Oexmann Art Competition and Exhibition 2022
Exhibited at the Pound Arts Open Exhibition 2022
SAA Young Artist of the Year 2022 - second place
Exhibited at the New English Art Club Annual Exhibition 2022 at the Mall Galleries, London
BBC Radio Wiltshire interview - January 2022
Wiltshire Life magazine interview - December 2021 issue
Exhibited at Bath Society of Artists 116th Annual Open Exhibition in 2021 at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath
SAA Young Artist of the Year 2021 - second place
Exhibited at the New English Art Club Annual Exhibition 2021 at the Mall Galleries, London
Marlborough Open Studios 2021 - Bursary winner
Winner of the SAA Beginner Artist of the Year 2020
SAA Artist of the Year 2020 - Best Beginner Portrait or Figure award
Exhibited in the Young Artists' Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts 2020