South African-born, Dutch artist Claire de Jong grew up in Cape Town, the Netherlands and Ghent, Belgium. Together with her sister Eve, she was brought up in a liberal Dutch tradition during South Africa's darkest Apartheid years. Her influences included the (later exiled) poet Breyten Breytenbach, among others in the "artistic circle" of family friends of the day, committed to change.

Upon completion of her tertiary eduction as an artist focussing on painting and, naturally, the painting techniques of the Dutch Masters given the cultural heritage of the Cape, she seized on an unexpected opportunity to work as a model in Paris.

Investing her earnings as a model in educating herself, she gravitated to the vibrant arts scene of London and its "YBAs" of the period. 

In a somewhat circular route, she since returned to Paris before settling in Antwerp where she has lived and worked for 15 years.

CV

B. 1962; Cape Town, South Africa

Lived and worked in London from 1991 to 2010; Paris until 2012.

Now lives and works in Antwerp.

Education

1982-1987   BA Fine Art, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa)

Selected Exhibitions

2018   Diary, Achaa Projects, Antwerp

2017   Manoeuvre, Campus Coppens, Brasschaat 

2017   Skin, Windowbox #2, Mechelen

2016   Hollandaise, New Art Projects, London

2013   Giraffes, Alentejo Triennial, Portugal

2013   Diamond Geezer, Jong Garage, Antwerp

2013   Collectors’ Items 5 – Studio System. NL-Dutch Cutural Pop-Up                Space @ Waddington Studios,                    London

2012   Curare Projects Presents, Trajector Art Fair, Brussels

2011   The Future Can Wait, Charlie Smith  Gallery, London

2011   Martha Cooper Remix, Carmichael Gallery, Los Angeles

2011   She'll Never Go to Paris, Ersatz, London

2010   Vegas Gallery, Trajector & Taut Art Fair, Brussels

2010   Peeping Tom, Vegas Gallery, London

2009   Collector’s Items No.2: ‘High Drama'. NL- Dutch Cultrual

            Pop-Up Space, London

2008   The Apartment, London

2007   Paintings and Sculptures, Five Years Gallery, London

2006   Cater Presents, Scope Art Fair Miami/London

2005   Pencil  (a drawing show), Carter Presents, London

2001   Century City: Art and Culture in the Modern Metropolis,

            Tate Modern, London

2001   City Racing1988-1998: A Partial Account, ICA. London

2000   Het Consortium Amsterdam, Group show +performance

2000   Bell-Roberts Gallery, Cape Town, Group Show