"I have been a professional artist since 1996. I am a painter working in oils on canvas and board. I have also made many assemblage sculptures and installations using found objects in combination with welded steel, fiberglass resin and other materials, inspired by artists like Ed & Nancy Kienholz, Jane Alexander and Willie Bester.
I originally began making art as an exploration of the non-verbal world of the subconscious. I allow myself to be guided by the medium and the painting process themselves to direct the subject matter of my painting, enabling me to "get out of my own way" and to use the process as a journey of discovery and self-therapy. Fundamentally this is an approach influenced by the intentions espoused by the Surrealists, a way to explore the irrational, subconscious mind. I have been much inspired by Surrealist art, particularly the imagery of Salvador Dali and the thought-provoking juxtapositions and insights of Rene Magritte, among many others. While the emotions and thoughts that lie behind these works are personal, I have found that they also resonate with others, and that many people find something of themselves in my paintings and assemblages.
Like most artists, my work has grown, developed and changed over the years, going through distinct phases or "periods" at various times. Currently, and for the past several years, the main focus of my work has been on the “real” world (although philosophers argue about whether it really exists...), specifically sky- or cloud-scapes. There is something deeply meditative about clouds, the interplay of subtle colours and shapes, the moods of the sky and the quality of the light at different times of day. This results in paintings which still encourage introspection without the need for a conscious “meaning” – the search for meaning can sometimes limit or get in the way of one’s experience of being in the moment , experiencing the artwork and, ironically, “getting” what it means non-verbally.
Since we are nonetheless verbal communicators/creatures, I like to use titles that add a dimension to the artwork, to give them a spin or a certain flavour without being literal. I often think of artworks as visual poems - with meanings that are implied by the juxtaposition and context of the image and the words.” – Anton Brink
I originally began making art as an exploration of the non-verbal world of the subconscious. I allow myself to be guided by the medium and the painting process themselves to direct the subject matter of my painting, enabling me to "get out of my own way" and to use the process as a journey of discovery and self-therapy. Fundamentally this is an approach influenced by the intentions espoused by the Surrealists, a way to explore the irrational, subconscious mind. I have been much inspired by Surrealist art, particularly the imagery of Salvador Dali and the thought-provoking juxtapositions and insights of Rene Magritte, among many others. While the emotions and thoughts that lie behind these works are personal, I have found that they also resonate with others, and that many people find something of themselves in my paintings and assemblages.
Like most artists, my work has grown, developed and changed over the years, going through distinct phases or "periods" at various times. Currently, and for the past several years, the main focus of my work has been on the “real” world (although philosophers argue about whether it really exists...), specifically sky- or cloud-scapes. There is something deeply meditative about clouds, the interplay of subtle colours and shapes, the moods of the sky and the quality of the light at different times of day. This results in paintings which still encourage introspection without the need for a conscious “meaning” – the search for meaning can sometimes limit or get in the way of one’s experience of being in the moment , experiencing the artwork and, ironically, “getting” what it means non-verbally.
Since we are nonetheless verbal communicators/creatures, I like to use titles that add a dimension to the artwork, to give them a spin or a certain flavour without being literal. I often think of artworks as visual poems - with meanings that are implied by the juxtaposition and context of the image and the words.” – Anton Brink
curriculum vitae
(abridged - unabridged CV available on request)
(abridged - unabridged CV available on request)
art residencies
- Residency at SLAK Guest Studio, Arnhem, The Netherlands from 1 September to 5 October 2002.
- Residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France from 1 March to 27 June 2002.
- Residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France from 3 July to 27 October 1998.
published and reproduced work
- In Fluorescence, Fishwives: music EP released on iTunes and other online platforms in 2022, Artwork used for all related publicity online and in print.
- Die Oog, Anton Krueger and Eben Viktor, Naledi, South Africa, 2019. (Dustcover illustration)
- The Collector’s Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa (3rd Ed), PAW Publications, South Africa, 2014. (Listing & illustration)
- Philida, André Brink, Human & Rousseau, South Africa, 2012. (Dustcover illustration)
- 200 Eastern Cape Artists, Helena Theron, South Africa, 2011. (Listing & illustration)
- Sunnyside Sal, Anton Krueger, Deep South, South Africa, 2010. (Dustcover illustration)
- Lexikon der phantastischen Kűnstler, Gerhard Habarta (ed.), IFAA, Austria, 2009. (Listing & illustration)
- Arts and Culture for the New Nation Grade 8, Nasou Via Afrika, South Africa, 2006. (Listing & illustration)
- Die Bidsprinkaan, André Brink, Human & Rousseau, South Africa, 2005. (Dustcover illustration)
- Persistence of Memory, Tony Eprile, W W Norton & Co, USA, 2004. (Dustcover illustration)
- S A Art Information Directory 2004 - 2005, Global Art Information, South Africa, 2003. (Listing & illustration)
- The Collector’s Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa (2nd Ed), Chase Publications, South Africa, 2003. (Listing & illustration)
- Donkermaan, André Brink, Human & Rousseau, South Africa, 2000. (Dustcover illustration)
- The Collector’s Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa, Twenty Two Press, South Africa, 1998. (Listing & illustration)
- The Novel: Language and Narrative from Cervantes to Calvino, André Brink, Macmillan Press Ltd., UK, 1998. (Dustcover illustration)
- Die Jogger, André Brink, Human & Rousseau, South Africa, 1997. (Dustcover illustration)
- Billeder af sand, André Brink, Lindhardt og Ringhof, Denmark, 1996. (Dustcover illustration)
- Zandkastelen, André Brink, Meulenhoff bv., The Netherlands, 1996. (Dustcover illustration)
- Les imaginations du sable, André Brink, Nouveau Cabinet Cosmopolite Stock, France, 1996. (Dustcover illustration)
- Sandkastele, André Brink, Human & Rousseau, South Africa, 1995. (Dustcover illustration)
- Private collections in South Africa, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Eire, UK, Australia, New Zealand & USA.
- Anglovaal Corporation, Johannesburg.
- Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France.
- Die Burger, Cape Town.
- Grahamstown Foundation, 1820 Settlers Monument, Grahamstown.
- South African National Association of Visual Arts, Pretoria.
- Springs City Council, Springs.
galleries, agents and dealers
- ArtEC, Port Elizabeth.
- Grande Provence Gallery, Franschhoek.
- Knysna Fine Art, Knysna.
- Nel Gallery, Cape Town.
solo exhibitions
- 26.06.2025 - 06.07.2025: Inward Appearances, Carinus Art Centre, Grahamstown, at the National Arts Festival.
- 22.06.2024 - 29.06.2024: Inscapes and Escapes, 48 Somerset Street, Grahamstown, concurrent with the National Arts Festival..
- 22.06.2023 - 03.07.2023: Through The Looking Glass, during the National Arts Festival (private viewings), Grahamstown.
- 15.09.2015 - 25.09.2015: Shedding the Load, a 20-year retrospective exhibition at ArtEC, Port Elizabeth.
- 03.07.2014 - 13.07.2014: In Cognito, The Black Gallery, Albany Museum, Grahamstown, concurrent with the National Arts Festival.
- 20.06.2010 - 04.07.2010: losing it, solo exhibition with a sound track by Strato Copteros on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival, Fort Selwyn, Grahamstown.
- 02.07.2009 - 11.07.2009: grey matter, on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival, The Green Gallery, Albany Museum, Grahamstown.
- 28.06.2007 - 07.07.2007: FRAGILE, on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival, The Green Gallery, Albany Museum, Grahamstown.
- 10.08.2006 - 23.08.2006: dogma, at the Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town (invited).
- 29.06.2006 - 13.07.2006: dogma, on the Main Programme at the National Arts Festival and the Standard Bank National Schools Festival, Gallery in the Round, 1820 Settlers Monument, Grahamstown.
- 03.05.2004 - 24.05.2004: behind the chameleon, at the Blyth Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 16.03.2004 - 27.03.2004: mantra, at the Cuyler Street Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 27.06.2003 - 05.07.2003: introspect, on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival, Johan Carinus Art Centre, Grahamstown.
- 03.10.2002 - 04.10.2002: MADE IN EC, open studio exhibition, SLAK Guest Studio, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
- 25.07.2002 - 12.08.2002: a private view, exhibition hosted by Big Wheel Theatre in Education, London, UK (invited).
- 03.04.2002 - 13.04.2002: pARTs PariS, exhibition of visual art related to pARTs project (q.v.), Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France.
- 07.04.2001 - 14.04.2001: X, on the Fringe at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Queens Hotel Annex, Oudtshoorn.
- 27.02.2001 - 10.03.2001: X, a kind of retrospective exhibition of 10 years' work at the EPSAC Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 24.01.2000 - 05.02.2000: anima, at the Cuyler Street Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 24.09.1999: omen, a site- and time-specific interaction with Diaz’ Cross on the Eastern Cape coast, in response to a nationwide call by Public Eye for artists to interact with national monuments and public sculpture on Heritage Day.
- 28.06.1999 - 11.07.1999: the unseen universe, site-specific installation/exhibition, incorporating a music and movement performance “The Floor of Stone and Mud” by Thomas Nowotny and Angela Noelle with dancers Jane Burt, Athiná Copteros, Alexandra Johnson and Anna-Karien Otto, on the Fringe of the Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Fort Selwyn, Grahamstown. This project was partially funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa.
- 25.03.1999 - 31.03.1999: bron, on the Fringe at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn Technical College, Oudtshoorn.
- 15.02.1999 - 27.02.1999: source, at the Cuyler Street Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 16.05.1998 - 30.05.1998: the jealous god, at the Green Gallery, Albany Museum, Grahamstown.
- 02.04.1998 - 08.04.1998: vital signs, on the Fringe at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn Technical College, Oudtshoorn.
- 07.02.1998 - 21.02.1998: untitled, at the Cuyler Street Gallery, Port Elizabeth.
- 02.07.1997 - 13.07.1997: full mental jacket, on the Fringe at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival, The Old Gaol, Grahamstown.
- 15.10.1996 - 05.11.1996: headroom, First Gallery, Parkhurst, Johannesburg.
- 01.06.1996 - 22.06.1996: dreaming in a different key, Springs Library Gallery, Springs (invited).
- 06.07.1995 - 16.07.1995: dreaming in a different key, on the Fringe at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Classic Framers Gallery, Grahamstown.
collaborative art performances
- 27.06.2003 - 05.07.2003: pARTs (tOO), an art/dance collaboration conceived in collaboration with dancers Athiná Copteros, Jane Burt and Alexandra Johnson and created interactively by a constantly changing cast of performers, artists and exhibition visitors at my studio during the 2003 National Arts Festival, 211a High Street, Grahamstown.
- 14.11.2001 - 17.11.2001: pARTs, an art/dance collaboration conceived with dancer Athiná Copteros and created in collaboration with dancers Jane Burt, Nyaki Tsana and Conrad Rocher, visual artist Richard Kilpert and stage manager & lighting designer Sam Rankin at The Box Theatre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
- 04.07.1992 - 07.07.1992: Supporting artwork & slides for music show Kiss the Sky, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix by Shrinking Railroad, Rhodes University Great Hall, Grahamstown - Standard Bank National Arts Festival.
group exhibitions
I have taken part in well over 100 group exhibitions in South Africa and around the world since 1990 - a detailed list can be supplied on request.
