Kevin Roach
b. 1957, San Francisco ∙ CE artist since 2004
Photo by Mike Melnyk
Kevin Roach’s artwork is representational and iconic. His clean compositions often contain simplified figures, symbols and landscapes. A meticulous artist, Roach carefully plans each piece before he begins, and is extremely focused. One of his most popular motifs are his eyeballs, which appear in many of his two dimensional works. His eyeball designs were reproduced in the large scale in Of Here From There | De Aquí Desde Allá, produced in collaboration with Ana Teresa Fernández.
A native San Franciscan, Roach often talks about his time as a child in the circle of The Cockettes, one of the original troupes of radical drag performers. His memories of the wild gender-bending and glittery costumes appeal to his sense of design. Roach has taken up embroidery and surface design to support his interest in costumery and fashion.
Roach is always eager to test out new techniques and improve his skills, adding he wants “to learn more about art through books to get more ideas.” Roach counts Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera as major inspirations, saying their art “makes [him] come alive."
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2020
Of Here From There | De Aquí Desde Allá, San Francisco Art Institute, CA
2019
Patterns in Practice, San Francisco Zen Center, CA
California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art 2019, Davis, CA
2018
Transcendent, San Franciso Zen Center, CA
"From" All Over the Place, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, San Francisco, CA
Fabulate!, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2016
Natural History, Creativity Explored Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Tabula Rasa, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2015
Tree of Life, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2014
INK, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
A Curious Menagerie, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2013
SIDESHOW, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
For the Birds, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's Calacas: Day of the Dead, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2012
Are We There Yet?, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2011
The Masters, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Black and White and Read All Over, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Structure, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2010
Santos y Otros Creatures, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2008
INsects INsectos, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Finders Keepers, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Tasty, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2006
Sacred Places, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Vessels, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2005
Mindful, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2004
Critters, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Heads n' Tails, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2003
Lit, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
