(b. 1962 Yuma, AZ, USA)

From detailed images rendered in charcoal to landscapes captured in swathes of oil paint and dynamic portraits made from chalk pastel and folded newsprint, Gary Stephen’s art vibrates with an energy and depth.

Stephens was born on the Mexican border town of Yuma, Arizona in the United States, and studied painting and drawing at the University of Arizona and the San Francisco Art Institute. He has travelled extensively in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa, and lived and worked in Florence, Italy for a decade. Stephens has been living in South Africa home since 2008, and in 2009, he did a year-long residency at Greatmore Studios in Cape Town.

He is especially acclaimed for the monumental portraits he has made of artist friends and their African sense of aesthetic and dress. These works allowed him to develop his interests in optical effects, geometric repetitions, textiles and fractured images. He has subsequently translated this unique style into images depicting the land and fauna and flora – subjects that that have always been close to Stephens’ heart. His work can be found in public and private collections in the US, South Africa, Europe and Middle East.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024      

Tswalu – Muses of the Kalahabi, Everard Read Johannesburg, South Africa, in association with Fireblade Aviation

2020      

Local, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2017      

Pleated, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2015      

Scarf, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013      

Networks and Voids, Modern Nigerian Hairstyles with Okhai Ojeikere, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria

2012     

In Conversation, Gallery Momo, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Ankara Portraits, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria

2011     

Braids and Caps, Gallery Momo, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008      

New Work, Yuma Art Center Museum, Yuma, USA

Studio Dimore, Florence, Italy,

2005      

Cactus and Sunflowers, Yuma Art Center Museum, Yuma, USA

Gallerie Franzke Art Meeting Point, Vienna, Austria

Arizona Meets Africa, Polissena Prato , Florence, Italy

2004      

Giant Sunflowers, BZF, Vellechi Spazio Culturale, Florence, Italy

2003      

Desert Fauve Landscapes, Yuma Fine Arts Center, Yuma, USA

2002      

Spirit Vessels, Momoyama Art space, Florence, Italy

2000      

Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, USA

1995      

College of Marin, Kentfield, USA

1991      

Personal Icons, Braunstein/Quay Gallery, San Francisco, USA

1990      

Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Palm Springs, USA

Earthly Delights, Sun Gallery, Hayward, USA

The Whimsical Animal, Yuma Art Center, Yuma, USA

1989      

Heads, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, USA

1987      

The Wild West Show, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, USA

The Phoenix Gallery, San Francisco, USA

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2021   

Spring Show, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Summer 2021, Everard Read Gallery, London, UK

2020   

Local, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2018   

Botanical group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg

2017   

Summer Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, London, UK

20th Year Anniversary Exhibition, Knysna Fine Arts, Knysna, South Africa

2016   

Opening Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, London, UK

Summer Exhibition, Everard Read, London, UK

2014   

Omenka Gallery booth, Art14 London International Art Fair, London, UK

Artco Gallery, Aachen Germany, Art14 International Art Fair, London, UK

2013   

Everard Read Gallery booth, Sydney Contemporary13, Sydney, Australia

Everard Read Gallery booth, FNB Art Joburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Trees, David Krut, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa

2012   

Gallery Momo, Johannesburg, South Africa

2010   

The World of Cape Town Art, Consulate General of Spain, Cape Town, South Africa

2009   

Greatmore Art Studios, Cape Town, South Africa

Portraits, UCA Gallery, Woodstock, South Africa

2006   

Summer Group Show, L’Albero Celeste Art Gallery, San Gimignano, Italy

1998   

I, Wolk Gallery, St. Helena, USA

Mill Valley Sculpture Garden, Mill Valley, USA

Ceramic Sculpture: A Fine Arta View, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, USA

1997   

Bay Area Art, Napa Valley College, Vapa Valley, USA

1996   

Maps, Globes and Charts, Irvine Fine Arts Center Irvine, USA

1994   

A World of Maps, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, USA

1993   

Body Politic, San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries, San Francisco, USA

Self Portraits: True Stories, Bolinas Museum, Point Reyes, USA

Earth Day Juried Show, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

1992  

Shrines, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, USA

1991   

8th Juried Exhibition, LA Artcore, Los Angeles, USA

Contemporary Virgins of Guadalupe, Downey Museum of Art, Downey, USA

Biennial Exhibit, Dinnerware Artists’ Cooperative, Tucson, USA

Anti-War Signs, Nelson Morales Gallery, San Francisco, USA

1990   

Juried Exhibition, Arpel Gallery, Santa Barbara, USA

Living Artists Program, Bolinas Museum, Bolinas, USA

The Reflected Image, Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Scottsdale, USA

True Blues, Arizona Art Commission Traveling Exhibition, USA

Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Sedona, USA

1989   

San Francisco Art Commission Galleries, San Francisco, USA

Animals, Casa Grande Art Museum, Casa Grande, USA

Introductions, San Francisco Art Dealers Association, San Francisco, USA

1988   

New Landscapes, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, USA

Southwest Christmas, Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, USA

Yosemite Renaissance III, Yosemite National Park, USA

1987   

Michael Ivey Gallery, Los Angeles, USA

Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, USA

1986   

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Rental Gallery, San Francisco, USA

Falkirk Center Annual Juried Show, San Rafael, USA

1985   

Crocker Kingsley exhibition, Kingsley Art Club Sacramento, USA