“Imperfect Memories” expands, for me, the traditional understanding of portraits by employing content and methods to explore identity, presence, and social meanings in unconventional ways. My focus lies in depicting the essence, the circumstances, and my own memories of people who were important to me—the moments, events, and feelings—not simply their appearance or recognizability. Collages, abstraction, and distorted or deliberately manipulated imagery serve the attempt to describe (or perhaps to create) my own insecurities and memories, with all their blur and their obvious flaws.
Ronald Stoecker
born 1954 in Essen, initially studied and graduated as PhD in Biology and Chemistry, after retirement lives and works now as freelance artist in Essen, Germany using digital and analogue photography as well as scanning- and print techniques and mixed media formats, between 2015-2021 studied photography and media art at freie Akademie der bildenden Künste in Essen (fadbk, HBK) in photography and media – graduated as master student in 2021
Awards 2026 Longlisted for Publication (Book) – Begegnungen im Fokus, Goldene Segel Art Prize 2026, Bad Zwischenahn
2026 First Price and Exhibition Winner, Abstract Art Photography Competition, Artist Space Gallery
2026 Exhibition “Faces”, The Final Notice, Exhibition Winner, Artists Space Gallery, NY
2026 Merit Award, Portrait Contest 2026, GCG , Houston, Texas US
2025 Selected Photography Art Award 2026, LensCulture, Amsterdam, NL
2025 Selected 3rd Winner, Abstract Art Competition, Grey Cube Gallery, Houston, Texas, US
2025 Merit Award, Still Life Contest, Grey Cube Gallery, Houston, Texas, US