CV

About

Ruth Campau (b. 1955) is known for creating ambitious large-scale paintings that redefine our sense of architecture. She works with abstract painting, where color, space and process are her materials. The artist draws the viewer in close to her characteristic, long, vertical strokes, which she applies with her signature brushwork. Campau lives and works in Copenhagen. Her work is represented in several private and public collections, including ARKEN – Museum of Contemporary Art, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg, and Malmö Art Museum. In 2020, Campau received the lifelong honorary grant from the Danish Arts Foundation for her persistent and extensive work. 

Biography
2000 - 2005Studies in Art History at the Open University, Copenhagen
2002Became a member of the Danish Artists’ Society
2006Became a member of the artist association Grønningen
2006 - 2009Art consultant and member (appointed by the Academy Council) of the advisory committee of UBST/The Danish University and Property Agency
2009 - 2010Art consultant for the Municipality of Guldborgsund’s new business center in Eskilstrup, Denmark (appointed by The Danish Arts Foundation)
2005 - 2011Member of the Danish Academy Council and Danish Artist’s Society’s Jury (chairman 2008-2011)
2011 - 2017Member of The Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts
2013 - 2017Member of The Academy Council
2017 - 2022Board member at Overgaden Institute of Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
2020 -Board member at the artist association Grønningen
2025 -Advisory Board member, Erhvervslivets Kulturpris
Public Collections
ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art, Ishøj, Denmark 
KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Denmark 
Bornholm Art Museum, Gudhjem, Denmark 
Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg, Denmark 
Randers Art Museum, Randers, Denmark 
Kastrupgaardsamlingen, Kastrup, Denmark 
MAPS Museum of Art in Public Space, Køge, Denmark 
Kupferstich-Kabinett, Die Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen, Dresden, Germany 
Malmø Art Museum, Malmø, Sweden 
Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark 
The New Carlsberg Foundation, Denmark 
Group Exhibitions (selected)
2025Det maleriske i kobbertrykket, Kastrupgårdsamlingen, Kastrup, Denmark
2025YOU AND ME, Galerie Feldbusch Wiesner Rudolph FWR, Berlin, Germany
2025Gravity Rainbow, Galerie Nord, Kunstverein Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany
2024NEW AGE - a CDF Tribute Show, Galerie Hartwich, Rügen, Germany
2024Abstract Sensibility, Gallery 2112, Copenhagen, Denmark
2024Selected, Gallery DGV, Svendborg, Denmark
2023Grønningen, Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2023SHIFT, Künstlerhaus Sootbürn, Hamburg
2022Boundary River, Galleri DGV, Svendborg, Denmark (duo-show)
2022Jubilæum 5, Ringsted Galleriet, Denmark
2021GO WEST, Kunsthal Kongegaarden, Korsør, Denmark
2021Grønningen, Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2020Interdimensionale II, Gammelgaard, Herlev, Denmark
2020Grønningen, Den Frie, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019Gallery DGV, Villa Tårnborg, Svendborg, Denmark
2019Grønningen, Kunstforeningen Gl Strand, Copenhagen, Denmark
2017Cool, Calm and Collected, AROS Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus, Denmark
2017Neue Abstraktion, Deutcher Kunstlerbund, Berlin, Germany
2017REVISIT: EROTIK, Overgaden, Institute for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen, Denmark
2017Grønningen, Den Frie, Copenhagen, Denmark
2017Hvad gør kunst på hospitaler, KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces, Køge, Denmark
2017RNPG - COPENHAGEN, reductive non-objective private gallery, OK Corral, Copenhagen, Denmark
2017Downshifting, RedLine Art Center, Denver, USA
2017Idealer, Randers Art Museum, Denmark
2017Idealer, Esbjerg Art Museum, Denmark
2016Idealer, Fuglsang Art Museum, Denmark
2016Fibbonacci Sequence, Francis Boeske Project, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2015Self Storage, Another Space, Copenhagen, Denmark
2015Qvartet, Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg, Denmark
2015Eccentric Abstraction, Feldbuschwiesner Galerie, Berlin, Germany
2015Grønningen, Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2014Edition Norm Issue Nº3 / 2014, Berlin, Germany
2014Transparent – Between the Base and the Surface, Gallery Charlotte Fogh, Aarhus, Denmark
2014Pragmatic Painting, Gallery Hartwich, Rügen, Germany
2014CRYSTALLINE, Gallery DGV, Villa Tårnborg, Svendborg, Denmark
2014PS 1999-2014 / A 15 YEARS ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION, PS Projectspace, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2013Baltic Sea Record 2013, Stadtgalerie Kiel, Germany
2013ZIEGEN ZEIGEN. An Audio Tour through Copenhagen by Karin Sander Kunsthallen Nikolaj, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013Form - Signage, Sophienholm, Lyngby, Denmark
2013Sculpture by the Sea, Aarhus Waterfront, Denmark
2013Arkitektonisk Stuegang, Designmuseet Danmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013Giv os i dag…Når kunsten går i kirke, Museet for Religiøs Kunst, Lemvig, Denmark
2012Giv os i dag…Når kunsten går i kirke, KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces Køge, Denmark
2012Co Lab, The Barker Hangar, Los Angeles, USA
2012Shaped by Time, The National Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012Robert Jacobsen up to date, Esbjerg Art Museum, Denmark
2012Landing, Teksas exhibition space, Græsted, Denmark
2012Ostrale, Dresden, Germany
2012Land of the seven moles, PS projectspace, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2012Grønningen, Docken, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012Arkitektonisk Stuegang, Kunstcentret Silkeborg Bad, Denmark
2011Visitation, Galerie Hartwich, Sellin, Rügen, Germany
2011Crisp & Shout, Gallery KANT, Esbjerg, Denmark
2010Preview, Tempelhof, Berlin, Germany
2010Grønningen, Docken Nordhavnen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2010Vråudstillingen, Kunstbygningen in Vrå, Denmark
2010North, Galerie Hartwich, Sellin, Rügen, Germany
2008ROUNDABOUT, Contemporary Exhibition Space, Berlin, Germany
2008Grønningen, Bornholm Art Museum, Denmark
2007Grønningen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
2007Young Blood, PS Projectspace, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2006Now here and never again, Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006Grønningen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
2005SPLASH, BOX 2.0, Copenhagen, Denmark (with architect Mette Skjold (Denmark) and visual artist Gerold Miller (Germany))
2005Duschkonst, Galleri Leger, Malmö, Sweden
2005Standard, Århus Exhibition Space, Denmark
2005Grønningen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
2004Farbfilm 2004 - Abstraktion III, Kunstverein Schloss Plön & Schloss Plüschow, Niedenstein, Germany
2003Horizontal Open, Galleri Tom Christoffersen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2003Vierzig mal, Kunstverein Rügen, Putbus, Germany
2003Norther Malerei, Galerie Hartwich, Sellin, Rügen, Germany
2001Efterårsudstillingen, Autumn Exhibition, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
2001I:I, Herning Art Museum, Herning, Denmark
2001Norther Malerei, Galerie Hartwich, Sellin, Rügen, Germany
2000Picture This, North Exhibition Space, Copenhagen, Denmark
1999PAINTBOX, Copenhagen, Denmark
1999Originals, North Exhibition Space, Copenhagen, Denmark
1999Ringsted Galleriet (with Michael Mørk and Lisbeth Lyrstrand), Ringsted, Denmark
1998Forårsudstillingen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
1997Forårsudstillingen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
1995Horizonline, Castle of Pomeranian Dukes, Szczecin, Poland
1992Galleri Eva Marker, Copenhagen, Denmark
1991The Young Artists Creative Triennial of Baltic States, Vilnius, Lithuania
1991Forårsudstillingen, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
Solo Exhibitions (selected)
2022ÉNTRE, Bow and Bend, Galerie Gebr. Lehmann, Dresden, Germany
2022Sunset Boulevard, Bornholm Art Museum, Denmark
2019Fielding, Caspar David Friedrich Zentrum, Greifswald, Germany
2019The Fall of Diamond Dust, Feldbusch Wiesner Rudolph Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2018Big G, Kernel Gallery, Cáceres, Spain
2017Chicago Mountains, Gether Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark
2016Cuts 'N Blobs, Petra Gut Contemporary, Zürich, Switzerland
2016Imagine Gold, Feldbusch Wiesner Galerie, Berlin, Germany
2015Interstellar, Gether Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark
2015Between the Past and the Coming, Overgaden, Institut for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen, Denmark
2014Vertical, Marianne Friis Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013Open Studios, ISCP, New York, USA
2011Pearl, PS Projectspace, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2011Velvet Mirror and Diamonds, Asbaek AAC Showroom, Copenhagen, Denmark
2010Mit Museum, KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Denmark
2007Neighbourhood & Grass, Brænderigården, Viborg, Denmark
2006The Well, Site-specific project for SALEN, Kunsthallen GL STRAND, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006Curtain, Ostseebad Sellin, Rügen, Germany
2005Galerie Hartwich Rügen, Germany
2004SPACE BAR, Paintbox extensions, Copenhagen, Denmark
200470.02 Read yourself, Traneudstilling, Gentofte Main Library, Denmark
2004Kan et Figentræ Bære Oliven? [Can a Fig Tree Bear forth the Olive?], Art project, Østerbro Provsti (Deanery), Copenhagen, Denmark
 - Altar Garden, Lundehus Church
 - Resurrection, Hans Egede’s Church
 - Every Color You Are, Frihavn’s Church
2001For example, Broadway Pink - 150 cm wide, Autumn Exhibition, Charlottenborg Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
2001Yellow. Red. Cigar, Overgaden, Copenhagen, Denmark
2000Window painting / Window space, Window Space, Copenhagen, Denmark
2000Spiritual Kitchen, PAINTBOX, Copenhagen, Denmark
1999Evergreen, Rampen, Copenhagen, Denmark
1998An Installation of Painting, North Exhibition Space, Copenhagen, Denmark
1996Humid Zone, Overgaden, Copenhagen, Denmark
Site-specific Projects in Public Space
2023 - 2028         Something In The Way We Move, large-scale painting for Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, Denmark. Curated by Creator Projects.
2024Øjets Nektar (Nectar for the Eye), art project at department store ILLUM, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023 -OS - Landet, Vandet, Byen, commissioned artwork for Vordingborg City Hall, Denmark.
2019 - 2023Des Wind im Baumstelle, commission for railings and stairway at housing complex by Wannsee, Berlin, Germany. Collaboration with Stofanel, Berlin.
2020Klostertorv Boogie Woogie, site-specific public artwork for Klostertorv, Aarhus, Denmark. Collaboration between ARoS Art Museum and Lys på Aarhus, Municipality of Aarhus.
2016 - 2021Handwoven Stories from the Colorfields Make the Blanket Warm, site-specific decoration for Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark.
2018 - 2020Every Color You Are, site-specific decoration for psychiatric hospital in Borås, Sweden. Collaboration with architect firm White, Sweden. Developer: Västfastigheter, Sweden.
2017 - 2018Boogie Woogie Palace, interior for Randers Art Museum, Randers, Denmark.
2013 - 2014Concrete Poetry, site-specific decoration for atrium at VUC, Vejle Campus, Denmark.
2014NUL Ét, decoration for UNI:C, National Agency for IT and Learning, the Danish Ministry of Education, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2013 - 2014Lottes Prisme, site-specific decoration for nursing home LOTTE, Copenhagen, Denmark. Developer: OK Fonden.
2013ATLAS I-V, site-specific decoration for nursing home Bertram Knudsens Have, Kolding, Denmark.
2012Every Color You Are (vol II), decoration for foyer at Civilstyrelsen, Copenhagen.
2011Puzzle, site-specific decoration of reception area at the law firm LETT, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2011Atlas, site-specific decoration of reception area at the office hotel First Clients, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2007 - 2008Contemplation, site-specific decoration of the church at the National Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Architect: Mathilde Petri. Building owner: The National Hospital. Donation by The New Carlsberg Foundation.
2007 - 2008The Weather Report, site-specific decoration of the foyer at VKR Holding A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark. Building owner: VKR Holding A/S.
2007 -Fleet House, site-specific decoration of office building’s façade, Fleet Street, London, United Kingdom. Collaboration with architect firm C.F. Møller. Developer: Landsecurities.
2006 - 2007Olympic Boogie Woogie, site-specific decoration of foyer and lounge, Idrættens Hus, Brøndby, Denmark. Architect: Claus Francke. Building owner: DIF, Sports Confederation of Denmark.
2006 - 2007Playground, site-specific decoration for Torsted School, Horsens, Denmark. Architect: Arkitema. Building owner: Municipality of Horsens.
2005 - 2006Inventor Sheets, site-specific decoration at Patent- og Varemærkestyrelsen, Tåstrup, Denmark. Architect: Nymand + Ravn. Building owner: Slots- og Ejendomsstyrelsen.
2006Blue, Rosengaard Shopping Mall, Odense, Denmark.
2006I Will Be Your First Factory, site-specific decoration for the First Factory knitwear factory, Herning, Denmark.
2004I Will Be Your Mirror, site-specific decoration for Aalborg University – Esbjerg Campus, Denmark. Architect: Kjær og Richter. Building owner: UBST/Universitets- og Bygningsstyrelsen.
2004 - 2006Oksbøl Color Base, site-specific decoration of 5 quarters at the Oksbøl Camp, Denmark. Architect: Arkitema. Developer: Forsvarets Bygningstjeneste.
2002 - 2006Nordlyset, site-specific decoration for residential housing complex on Amerikakaj, Copenhagen, Denmark. Collaboration with architect firm C.F. Møller. Developer: JM Danmark.
Competitions & Sketches
2023 - 2028Something In The Way We Move, large-scale painting for Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, Denmark. Curated by Creator Projects.
2024Øjets Nektar (Nectar for the Eye), Art project at department store ILLUM, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023 -OS - Landet, Vandet, Byen, Commissioned artwork for Vordingborg City Hall, Denmark.
2022NYKREDIT, Svanemølleholmen, Copenhagen. Building owner: Nykredit.
2020Klostertorv, site-specific public artwork for Klostertorv, Aarhus, Denmark. Collaboration between ARoS Art Museum and Lys på Aarhus, Municipality of Aarhus.
2017Psykiatrins Kvarter, Borås. Building owner: Västfastigheter. Architect: White Architects, Göteborg.
2015Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. Building owner: Region Vestegnen. Architect: Schmidt, Hammer og Lassen.
2011Haraldsgadekvarteret, Copenhagen Municipality Renewal District, Denmark.
2009Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark.
2009Rambøll Headquarter, Ørestaden, Denmark. Building owner: Rambøll A/S. Architect: Dissing & Weitling.
2008Halden Fængsel, Oslo, Norway. Building owner: Statens Kunstfond KORO (The Norwegian Arts Foundation). Architect: Erik Møllers Tegnestue.
2008Aalborg Havn, Denmark. Building owner: Aalborg Kommune (Municipality of Aalborg).
2008Nordlyskatedralen, Alta, Norway. Building owner: Alta Kommune (Municipality of Alta). Architect: Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen.
2007Lisbjerg School, Århus, Denmark. Building owner: Århus Kommune (Municipality of Aarhus). Architect: Kjær og Richter.
Curatorial Activities
2021GO WEST, Kunsthal Kongegaarden, Korsør, Denmark.
2004 - 2005      BOX 2.0 Art and Architecture in Collaboration, Vognmagergade 2, Copenhagen, Denmark. Initiator and co-curator (with visual artist Michael Mørk and architect Gitte Johannesen).
2003 - 2004Kan et Figentræ Bære Oliven? CAN A FIG TREE BEAR FORTH THE OLIVE?, Østerbro Provsti (Deanery), Copenhagen, Denmark. Initiator and co-curator (with parish minister Anne-Mette Gravgaard).
2003 - 2004PAINTBOX extensions, Vognmagergade 2, Copenhagen, Denmark. Initiator and co-curator (with visual artist Michael Mørk and art historian Trine Møller Madsen).
1999 - 2000PAINTBOX, Bredgade 65, Copenhagen, Denmark. Initiator and co-arranger (with visual artist Michael Mørk).
Honorary Stipends, Prizes & Awards
2024International Architectural Awards for Residential Building at Griebnitzsee, Berlin, Germany. Collaboration with Stofanel and Tchoban Voss Architects.
2023Nordlyset awarded by The Danish Club for TOP 50 Artworks for Public Spaces.
2020Lifelong Honorary Grant from The Danish Arts Foundation.
2018Eckersberg Medal, honorary award.
2018Artist of the Year 2018, honorary appointment at KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces, Køge.
2015Ole Haslunds Kunstnerfond, honorary stipend.
2015Residency at Accademia di Danimarca, Rome, Italy.
201515. Juni Fonden grant.
2015, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999The Danish Arts Foundation’s honorary one-year work grants.
2013Residency at ISCP (International Studio and Curatorial Program), New York, USA.
2012Residency at Can Lis, Mallorca, supported by The Danish Arts Foundation.
2012Mogens Zielers Fond, honorary stipend.
2013, 2009, 2001, 1996Grosserer L.F. Foghts Fond grants.
2008The Danish Arts Foundation, 3-year stipend.
2008Residency in New York, supported by Bikuben Foundation.
2007The Danish Arts Foundation, travel stipend.
2007Anne Marie Telmanyi født Carl-Nielsen Fond, honorary stipend.
2006Nominated for Mies van der Rohe Prize for Nordlyset.
2006Winner of "Building of the Year" for Nordlyset, awarded by *Byggeri* magazine.
2005Fru Andrea Jensen og Prins Jørgens Legat, honorary stipend.
2004Prize of honor awarded by The Danish Arts Foundation.
2003Marie & Victor Haagen-Müllers Fond, honorary stipend.
2002Aage og Yelva Nimbs Fond, honorary stipend.
2002Akademiraadets Understøttelsesfond grant.
2001Henry Heerups Legat, honorary stipend.
2001, 1998, 1996Akademiraadets Legat til Yngre Kunstnere grants.
2000, 1996Copenhagen’s Culture Foundation grants.
1999Prize of honor awarded by The Danish Arts Foundation.
1996Irgens-Berghs Kunstnerlegat.
1996The Camargo Foundation Fellowship Grant.