Ada-Ruth Kellow

Ada-Ruth Kellow (b. 1957, Bremen, Germany) is a figurative painter residing and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her subject matter lies in the uncomfortable and the unspeakable, aligning with Susan Sontag's view that “we can’t be haunted enough”. Kellow continues the tradition of social critique painting, following in the footsteps of artists such as Goya, Gericault, Munch, and Golub.

In her work of realistic rendering, Kellow uses metaphors and symbols, incorporating ornamental patterns that provide a sense of consolation. Through her art, she invites viewers to trace the unfolding narrative, blending confrontation with moments of humour.

Kellow obtained her BA in Fine Arts from the University of Witswatersrand and completed her BA Honours with distinction in 2022. She has taken classes in painting at Hermann Niebuhr Studio, Johannesburg, and life drawing at Freie Kunstakademie Frankfurt, Germany. She also attended the Pentiment International Summer Academy for Art & Design in Hamburg, Germany.

Kellow has participated in several group exhibitions in South Africa, with a solo exhibition at Gordart Gallery in Johannesburg in 2022. In 2024, she was among the top 40 Finalists for the Rust-en-Vrede Portrait Award and attended the Blue Cactus Art Residency in Barcelona, Spain.