BIOGRAPHY

JEAN THERON LOUW

SCULPTURE FOR REFLECTION

Jean Theron Louw is an architect whose true passion lies in sculpting. After winning the Sanlam Africa Art Award while still at school, she read her architectural degree at the University of the Free State.

In her work she focuses on issues of climate change, the state of our planet, overpopulation, urbanisation, water shortage and the need to live green. She is passionate about changing the unsustainable way in which we all live and, in her work, highlights the environmental crises we will all face.

Louw says: “The purpose of my work is to awaken a consciousness of our connectivity with the planet as a whole. I want to draw my viewer into moments of self-reflection - soul searching - for that is what makes us truly human.

Jean Theron Louw has taken part in numerous exhibitions at Cavalli, Tokara, Imibala, Turbine Art Fair, Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town Castle, Hermanus Fynarts, SculptX, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, and at long-term public sculptural displays at, amongst other, Komsit Stellenbosch, Sculptures on the Cliffs in Hermanus and at Boschendal Estate.

She has numerous works in private art collections globally. Currently her work can be viewed at Art on Church, Stellenbosch, Art@Africa, Cape Town, Intethe Gallery, Hermanus, Walker Bay Modern Art Gallery, Hermanus. By appointment at her JTL Studio in Somerset West. Public Sculpture - Oupa Carlos in Stellenbosch, sits on the corner of Dorp Street and Die Laan.

Jean Theron Louw received the 2019 US Woordfees Trophy for Visual Arts - Best Presentation, for her exhibition titled, My African Wild Dogs. My African Wild Dogs was also exhibited at the Montagu Book Festival where Jean was the Festival Artist in 2019. The work, My African Wild Dogs was exhibited at Gallery One 11 in Cape Town in 2020. My African Wild Dogs won the 2020 kykNET Fiesta Award for Best Presentation in Visual Art.

Jean Theron Louw’s thought-provoking sculpture “The View” was on display at Gearing’s Point in Hermanus as part of the Hermanus Fynarts Public Sculpture Exhibition in 2020 and 2021.

Jean has taken part in Sculptures on the Cliffs 2024 and one of her works, Ass’n About can currently be seen at Gearings Point in Hermanus until June 2025. A life size sculpture of this work is also currently on display in Stellenbosch at Art on Church.

‘The purpose of my work is to awaken a consciousness of our connectivity with the planet as a whole.’

- Jean Theron Louw -