Reece Swanepoel

My name is Reece Swanepoel. I’m a contemporary expressive artist who focuses on grotesque subjects and sharing my truth. I am a Jack of all trades, but a master of three:
painting, mixed media and drawing, focusing on the portrait and human figure.

I was born in Cape Town, but grew up in Mossel Bay where I had a lot of struggles from a young age. As someone who never fitted in with children my age, I explored alternative topics and filled my time reading books on psychology, astronomy, poetry and art.

Even as a child, information, properties of reality and the human condition interested me. And up to this day I try to convey these interests in my art through visual stories.

My interest in art flamed up when I first took visual art in high school and learnt of art as a language rather than mere images. Soon this interest morphed into passion, bordering compulsion. Since that time, I haven’t stopped working on pieces maniacally every single day.

My art is essential and necessary, just like the pains of life it often depicts. It gives one roots and keep you grounded.

I leave cognitive processes at the door of my studio because I want whatever I create to come from transparent, raw emotion. Emotion, especially empathy, stands centerstage in my works.

My goal is to make the viewer feel something for the mere depiction of an abstracted person and then make them question why they can’t do this outside the doors of the gallery. It makes you question, and that is powerful.

I’m establishing my name in the South African art scene and simultaneously onto an international platform. I am very fortunate to have people who represent me and regularly collect my work I can call friends.

My dream is to change the world for the better and grow the value of my work, and I know this is achievable because I have had many viewers and clients personally tell me the epiphanies my art have enlightened them to.

My vision is to continue working hard, because if you work harder than everyone around you, you can’t be ignored.

Resumé:
2013 – Duo exhibition with André Espach (Mossel Bay, Studio Namasté)
2014 – Yearly group exhibition (Mossel Bay, Mariaan Kotzé Gallery)
2015 – SCAVA group exhibition (George, George Museum)
2016 – Open Studio solo exhibition (Potchefstroom, studio)
2017 – North-West University group exhibition (Potchefstroom, NWU Arts Gallery)
2017 – ArtWalk group exhibition (Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom Gallery and Museum)
2017 – Kaslani Private Game Reserve exhibition and auction (Hoedspruit, Kaslani Game Reserve)
2017 – Open Studio exhibition (Potchefstroom, studio)
2017 – OpenArt group exhibition (Mossel Bay, Riviera Hotel)
2018 – By Wall group exhibition (Pretoria, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery)
2018 – “Unpretty Outcasts” solo exhibition (Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom Art Gallery & Museum)
2018 – Group exhibition (Pretoria, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery)
2018 – Opening exhibition (Wilderness, The Le Roux Gallery)
2018 – ‘Midnight’ exhibition (Pretoria, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery)
2018 – “Kith” group exhibition (Potchefstroom, EGLAF arts collective)
2018 – Aardklop group exhibition (Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom Art Gallery & Museum)
2018 – Law faculty farewell ceremony exhibition (Potchefstroom, NWU)
2018 – Vaal Arts Society exhibition (Vaal on Marina, Vaal Arts Society)
2018 – “Postcards” exhibition (Pretoria, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery)
2019 – “Pieces for Paws” auction (Cape Town, Giving is Living)
2019 – “Entropy” group exhibition (Potchefstroom, EGLAF arts collective)
2019 – Wilderness Arts Festival (Wilderness, The Le Roux Gallery)
2019 – Opening exhibition (London, Stopwatch Gallery)
2019 – “Box-ed” group exhibition (Potchefstroom, EGLAF arts collective)
2019 – “Delta Humanness” solo exhibition (Potchefstroom, EGLAF arts collective)
2019 – Top 70 Portraits group exhibition (Stellenbosch, Glen Carlou wine estate gallery)
2019 – Opening group exhibition (Shotca art gallery, California)
2019 – “Sublimination” group exhibition (Potchefstroom, EGLAF arts collective)
2019 – Gender Awareness Week group exhibition (Potchefstroom, Vaaldriehoek, Mafikeng, NWU)
2019 – Apostles of Entropy solo exhibition (Potchefstroom, NWU Art gallery)