Self-taught Australian born street artist, Reka (James Reka, born 1983) is a young contemporary artist now based in Berlin, Germany. Reka’s street art origins began in the alleyways and train lines of Melbourne’s inner-suburbs where he spent over a decade refining his now-distinctive art.
Reka’s art includes murals, graphics, photography and working with found objects, often sourced from walking the train lines at night or exploring abandoned warehouses. His work spans the laneways of three continents and contains influences from pop culture, cartoons and illustration, with hints of pop art in logo and symbol design, learned during his studies for Bachelor of Arts (Visual Communication & Design) RMIT University, Melbourne (2002-2006).
- This is Reka’s art: a paradox between sharp design and graffiti, held together with a fuse of passion and spray paint.
Reka has held solo shows in Melbourne, London, San Francisco, and in Denmark; and exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol; as well as pieces appearing in New York, Denver, Munich and Cologne.
- On the streets, his characters adorn the walls of cities from Milan, Paris, Berlin, Brooklyn, Montreal and in Japan.
Reka’s works have been acquisitioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, for their permanent collection, cementing his place as one of Australia’s most respected contemporary street artists.
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