Kelly John Gough
Artist’s Statement
“I paint to explore the space between presence and absence — where identity fades and something deeper emerges. My figures aren’t portraits, but echoes. Each work is a quiet search for honesty, stripped of noise. It’s less about what’s seen, more about what’s felt”
Biography
Inspired by the human form, Kelly John Gough paints striking nudes and portraits with a composition enriched by strong chiaroscuro, exciting areas of negative space and the natural grain and knots of his signature pine panel canvas. Kelly has been painting since he could walk. After studying graphic design and working in the publishing and production industry for 12 years, he embraced his first love full-time in 2001. Since then, Kelly has enjoyed exhibitions at a number of prestigious galleries, hotels and boutiques across South Africa.
His elegant yet provocative work is painted in oil on a raw backdrop of wood panel which provides a unique, tactile finish.
Showing 1–20 of 30 artworks
Kelly John Gough
Ethereal Beauty, 2024
Framed: 102 x 148 x 5 cm Oil On Wood R55,200
Kelly John Gough
Halycon, 2024
100 x 100 x 5.5 cm Framed: 102.5 x 102.5 x 5.5 cm Oil On Wood R43,700
Kelly John Gough
Calmness unfurled, 2024
Framed: 102 x 102 cm Oil On Board R38,000
Kelly John Gough
Percolate, 2024
102 x 102 x 4 cm Oil On Board R38,000
Kelly John Gough
24 FRAMES, 2024
102 x 102 x 4 cm Oil On Board R38,000
Kelly John Gough
Regal Refinery, 2024
102 x 102 x 4 cm Oil On Board R38,000
Kelly John Gough
THE DEFIANCE OF YOUTH, 2024
102 x 102 x 4 cm Oil On Board Sold
Kelly John Gough
The call of the void - Kelly John Gough, 2024
98 x 82 x 3.5 cm Framed: 101 x 84 x 3.5 cm Oil On Board R38,000
Kelly John Gough
Vermilion Border - Kelly John Gough, 2025
101 x 101 cm Framed: 101 x 101 cm Oil On Board - Framed Sold
Kelly John Gough
The Glance, no year
Framed: 75 x 75 x 3.5 cm Oil On Board R35,000
Kelly John Gough
The Shadows Edge, 2024
Framed: 77 x 102 x 5.5 cm Oil On Wood R33,000
Kelly John Gough
Cupreous, 2020
Framed: 78 x 108 x 3 cm Original Oil On Paper - framed R27,600
Kelly John Gough
Courage Reignited, 2025
59 x 66 cm Framed: 59 x 66 cm Oil On Board - Framed R27,500
Kelly John Gough
Lucubration, 2020
Framed: 78 x 108 x 3 cm Original Oil On Paper - framed R25,300
Kelly John Gough
Compelling Spirit, 2024
60 x 60 cm Framed: 62 x 62 x 5 cm Oil On Wood R23,805
Kelly John Gough
Character in the eyes of time, 2025
Framed: 50 x 40 x 2.5 cm Oil On Board R21,850
Kelly John Gough
From The Darkness Into The Light
65 x 48 x 5.5 cm Framed: 67 x 50 x 5.5 cm Oil On Board R20,700
Kelly John Gough
Her Humanity Sometimes Visits Her In Dreams, 2023
65 x 48 x 5.5 cm Oil On Wood R20,700
Kelly John Gough
Resonance, 2019
60 x 60 x 2.5 cm Framed: 62 x 62 x 2.5 cm Oil On Board R20,700