Artist Database

Jaco van Schalkwyk was born in Benoni, South Africa. His art delves into the ubiquitous realm of portraiture, acknowledging its commonality in visual culture. However, he seeks to elevate this art form by exploring the intimate lives of his subjects, who hold personal significance in his life journey. Whether portraying his late mother, mentors, or friends, van Schalkwyk aims to capture the essence of these relationships. In addition to traditional portrait paintings, his work incorporates installation, found objects, and still life paintings to deepen the understanding of his subjects' existence, identity, and characteristics. Through this, he strives to transcend the conventional portrayal of figures and faces.