Pete Kilkenny

Pete Kilkenny is a British-born artist celebrated for his expressive cow paintings that merge bold brushstrokes with emotional storytelling.

His unique works, often painted on newspapers from around the world, transform everyday objects into powerful artistic statements. His year-long project Süddeutsche Kühe, in which he created 301 daily cow portraits on the front pages of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, garnered widespread acclaim for its originality and consistency.

Kilkenny’s artistic approach blends contemporary expressionism with a deep connection to rural life, nature, and simplicity, emphasizing the beauty of the ordinary. His work often explores themes of identity, tradition, and human connection with nature, using cows as a recurring subject to symbolize serenity, grounding, and a link to the pastoral world.

His art has been exhibited internationally, including a notable display at the Würth Gallery alongside iconic artists such as Joseph Beuys and Picasso. His pieces are part of prestigious private collections, including those of Marion Würth and Peter Nobel, further cementing his reputation in the contemporary art world.