For Setken's origin story read below.

Otherwise go to the Linktree

to check out his online manifestations.

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Beginnings

Late last century, I was faced with a choice. I was living in Adelaide and had been accepted into both the Centre For the Performing Arts as an actor, and the Stanley Street School Of Art in visual art. 

I chose the former and my artistic life pursuing performing arts commenced. 

 

But in November 2010 a lifelong desire to visit Egypt was realised. By the beginning of 2012 my urge to paint again was so great that I picked up a paintbrush and painted for the first time in over 20 years. I have not stopped since.

 

I have described my paintings as “Nouveau Kemetic”, “Neo Kemetic”, and “Neo Pharaonic” over the years. All of these terms speak to the inherent Ancient Egyptian themes that my paintings centre upon and the new take on those themes also. The term I currently prefer is Pharaonic Surrealism, but I am fine with folks thinking of my style as a form of Ancient Egyptian Fan Art.

 

I use an Ancient Egyptian name as my painting moniker and this name - Setken - is also the brand name for my art. The cartouche logo is my trademark.

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Early days: The Blake Prize and The Director's Cut

 Three of my paintings were selected for the non-prize winning arm of the Blake Prize For Religious and Spiritual Art called "The Director's Cut". The Blake Prize has since undergone a change in administration and from the 65th Blake Prize the Director's Cut is no longer a part of the competition.

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In the 62nd Blake Prize (2013) the works selected were  Winged Set and The Artist As Beloved Of Heru And Set. In the 64th (2016) Blake Prize Director's Cut my painting This Has All Happened Before And This Will All Happen Again, was selected. This painting is also featured on the cover of an academically published book by Egyptologist Dr. Paul Harrison, Profane Egyptologists. 

 

Another painting, Nehebukau And The Ocean Of Reassurance is featured in a brand new Llewyn encyclopedia of Egyptian Deities by Dr. Tamara Suida. 

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My exhibitions:

Neo Pharaonic 2018 ​

My debut exhibition Neo Pharaonic was staged in February 2018. A documentary was made about it that won some prizes in short film festivals in the US Short Film Festival Circuit. Neo Pharaonic featured 24 of my paintings and was staged over 3 days in Prahran (inner city suburb of Melbourne)

Adventures In Zoomorphic Idolatry 2023

From July 8 - 21, 2023 I staged Adventures In Zoomorphic Idolatry in Brunswick East (in Melbourne). 14 paintings including unseen works, as well as talks and screenings of some of my films, made the event popular.

Bayside Local 2023 / 2024

My painting Beloved Of the Ibis God was featured in a group show at Bayside Gallery Brighton in their showcase of local artists from November 2023 to February 2024.

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Today

I have written the narrative and game play for a computer game that features my art called The Book Of The Divine Insects. I am developing this as a board game initially and plan to get a prototype ready in 2025.

 

​​I have a deep interest in the elements of the soul that I refer to as soul anatomy, most especially as expressed by the Ancient Egyptians. My paintings address this across many works. 

 

I consider myself an amateur Egyptologist and study hieroglyphics to this end. As well as pharaonic history, I am also interested in modern Egyptian history, especially the first Egyptian Prime Minister Saad Zaghloul.

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Egyptomania (or how the phenomena of Ancient Egypt is expressed in our modern world) is another great interest. I am a member of the ISSE, and am lucky to live in Melbourne where there are 3 rather spectacular Egyptianized funerary monuments. I have painted all 3, but the extraordinary tomb of David and Annabella Syme in Kew cemetery has been a special focus. After many years of research into that monument, I have uncovered some unusual and historically / culturally  significant information which I am presenting talks about in 2025 at various locations, including the PMI Library.

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In January 2024 I was offered a residency at Dunmoochin Estate - Clifton Pugh's illustrious artist estate in Cottle's Bridge. However, owing to my commitments to frequently traveling interstate, I unfortunately had to decline. 

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I am an amateur bodybuilder and continue my fitness training after leaving a long career in that industry. I am making a documentary that focuses on the year I entered 4 professional competitions in bodybuilding and fitness; it will debut in 2025.

 

I use alternative therapies like salt therapy, red and infrared light.

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In August I was a featured artist in Jimmy Hornet Magazine Volume 6.

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October 2024

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