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.
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