Guildhouse Studios

Fru Kenez (b. 1989) is a non-binary sculptor, illustrator and curator currently based on Kaurna country. The artist utilizes their creative practice as a vehicle for advocacy and change, namely fighting for the rights of the First Nations peoples of Australia, the climate crisis and the poor treatment of migrants and refugees who are still held in on and off-shore detention facilities. Fru also utilizes their own lived experience as a queer, non-binary migrant to highlight the marginalization of diverse voices in the contemporary Australian arts scene. Fru has participated in over sixty exhibitions around Australia, Asia and Europe. Their sculpture ‘The Last Gasp’ was a finalist in the 2022 National Capital Art Prize and 2022 Blacktown City Art Prize. Their piece entitled ‘Why Do You All Look Away’ was a finalist in the 2022 KAAF Art Prize and shortlisted for the 2022 BAM Art Prize. They are also a finalist in the upcoming 2023 Small Works Art Prize in Melbourne with their sculpture ‘When Nature Speaks, We Must Listen’. In 2021 they were awarded a Guildhouse CATAPULT mentorship with renowned South Australian ceramicist Gerry Wedd and was a finalist in the 2021 Adelaide Parklands Art Prize. They were also selected for the Art of Reconciliation documentary 2021. Fru holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Specialisation) from the University of South Australia, a Graduate Diploma in Art History from the University of Adelaide and is in the process of attaining their double masters in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Adelaide.