Schalk van der Merwe is an artist whose visceral portraits resonate with a profound emotional depth, striking a delicate balance between beauty and despair. His work is characterized by a directness that captivates viewers, yet it is underpinned by a tangible fragility that invites introspection. Each piece serves as a canvas for the complexities of human emotion, where ambiguous features can shift from immense beauty to utter despair, often revealing hints of the eyes that break through layers of paint, charcoal, and expressive brush strokes.
In discussing his artistic inspiration, van der Merwe reflects, “My work relies heavily on my truthful emotional expression. I live in a world vastly different from the one I grew up in. Everything seems to be about instant gratification and the oppression of the natural ebb and flow of the human condition. This has a profound influence on my emotional state of mind and work. Regardless of what affects me, be it positive or negative, it gets channeled into my artworks. I paint what I feel, not what I see.”
Van der Merwe’s artistic philosophy revolves around the idea of liberating the creative process from the constraints of cognitive thought. He believes that overthinking can stifle originality, allowing his work to emerge from a place of raw honesty. “I truly believe that overthinking can destroy and restrict spontaneous creativity. I try as much as I can to leave my brain and expectations at the door. This allows me to be open and receptive to whatever the artwork has to offer,” he explains. This approach results in portraits that are not merely representations but rather explorations of the human condition.
The artist’s technique is both coarse and visceral, employing a unique application of paint that enhances the melancholic expressions of his subjects. Each face, while blurred to the point of anonymity, offers a deeply personal recognition of the human experience, inviting viewers to connect with the emotions conveyed.
Schalk van der Merwe’s work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, across South Africa and internationally. In 2013, he exhibited Release at Catherine Christie Fine Art Gallery in Cape Town, along with selected works at The Ghuba Gallery in Hout Bay. The following year, his series This Human Condition: A Portrait Study in Primaries was featured at Kim Donaldson Gallery in Franschhoek, alongside Disrupt & Disturb at Young Blood Gallery in Cape Town. In 2015, selected works from his series Visceral were displayed at various galleries, including Hout Bay Gallery and Art Eye Gallery in Johannesburg. His presence continued to grow in 2016 with exhibitions such as This Human Condition and The Slow Disintegration of Sanity at Absolut Art Gallery in Cape Town. By 2017, van der Merwe’s work was prominently featured in galleries like Smudge Contemporary and Rossouw Modern, further establishing his reputation in the contemporary art scene.
In addition to exhibitions, van der Merwe’s work has been published in various art magazines and online platforms, further solidifying his presence in the contemporary art scene. Notable publications include Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Art Africa Magazine, where his series Visceral Portraits received critical acclaim.
Schalk van der Merwe’s art is a testament to the power of emotional expression and the complexities of the human experience. His ability to evoke strong reactions through his portraits speaks to the universal themes of beauty, despair, and the hidden emotions that lie beneath the surface. As he continues to explore and challenge the boundaries of artistic expression, van der Merwe remains a significant figure in the contemporary art landscape, inviting viewers to engage with the profound narratives woven into each of his works.