Bastiaan van Stenis, born in 1981 in South Africa, is a descendant of the 19th-century English painter, John Thomas Baines.
He is primarily a self-taught artist, and his unique style is a reflection of his passion for art and his diverse life experiences.
In his own words, “What drives me is the process; the act of creation is just another stop on the way.”
Van Stenis embarked on his professional artistic journey in the early 2000s. Since then, he has held numerous exhibitions in both South Africa and abroad. Having lived and worked in Europe for several years, his experiences there have profoundly influenced his artistic expression.
His choice of subjects and mediums is wide-ranging. He employs various paints, glues, paper, wax, and incorporates found objects, along with taxidermy—a craft he deeply admires.
His sculptural works are equally diverse, utilizing a range of materials he can find, such as wood, metal, furniture, resins, and incorporating his taxidermy skills.
The specimens for his taxidermy projects are sourced from roadkill and occasionally through contacts with veterinary clinics and neighboring farmers who encounter natural losses of young livestock.
Van Stenis remains dedicated to his crafts, persistently exploring new materials and techniques. His motivation is to create art that is not only visually striking but also emotionally resonant for himself, all while aiming to establish a profound connection with his audience.
His works serve as a personal narrative, depicting the challenges of growing up and navigating the complexities of social norms, expectations, and definitions of self. Van Stenis confronts these notions as he portrays seemingly ordinary moments with a sense of simultaneous implosion and explosion—we become what we gather and experience. Memories etch themselves into us like defining marks. Emotions are collected, shaping our form. Our enduring essence lies in the smears that carry chosen identities. In this style that transcends definition, we embrace the classicism of artistry, the modernity of texture, the protest of neo-expressionism, and the potential for more.
Currently, van Stenis works and resides in the Overberg area near Cape Town, South Africa.
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Solo Exhibtion " fields and feelds and fields of faddism" Rust en vrede Gallery , Cape Town
2019 Solo Exhibition "Wake you gently singing" Worldart gallery, Cape Town South Africa
2018 Duo Exhibition with Ruhan Jansen van Vuuren , Dawid Ras Gallery, Pretoria- NOV 2018
2018 Solo Exhibition ( Night time is the right time) with Kunskantoor Gallery at Rust en Vrede Gallery 20 March 2018
2018 Solo Exhibition, “ the Last time” Nuweland Gallery , Buren Netherlands
2018 Group Exhibition , Fynarts hermanus , Kunskantoor Gallery- june 2018
2017 Solo Exhibition, "If there is something" Worldart, Cape Town, South africa
2017Group exhibition, fynarts Hermanus, , Hermanus
2016 Solo exhibition “ Rogue” Fynarts, Hermanus South Africa
2015 Solo Exhibition “ Oostloor art and objects, Prinsengragt, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2013 Solo Exhibition “ Dejavu art gallery “Eindhoven Netherlands
2012 Studio Exhibition , Dusseldorf Germany
2010 Studio Exhibition, combination of work by Bastiaan Van Stenis and Gerard Cloete
2010 Solo Exhibition , Groot Constantia, Cape Town
2009 Solo Exhibition “Godog” Rossouw Modern art gallery, Groot Constantia, Cape Town
2008 Group show, Gerard Cloete Gallery, Cape Town
2007 Group Exhibition, Hout Bay Gallery, Cape Town
2006 Solo Exhibition, “Go Figure” Gerard Cloete Gallery, Cape Town
2005 Group Exhibition, Veo Gallery, Cape Town
2004 Solo Exhibition “Figurescaping”, Veo Gallery, Cape Town
2003 Solo Exhibition “Go” Veo Gallery ,Cape Town
