(b. 1962 Yuma, AZ, USA)

Born in the Mexican border town of Yuma, Arizona, Gary Stephens studied painting and drawing at the University of Arizona and the San Francisco Art Institute. For the past thirty years, he has worked as an artist and travelled extensively in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa for inspiration. In 1998, he moved to Florence, Italy, where he lived and worked for ten years refining his drawing style. He moved to South Africa in 2008, and in 2009, completed a year-long residency at Greatmore Studios in Cape Town.

Stephens is best known for his monumental portraits which celebrate an urban, African sense of style and fashion, manifest in the cities and communities where he has, over the last 16 years, become a local. In recent years Stephens has shifted his muses to not only paying homage to the people of Southern Africa but to the landscapes too. His recent exhibitions reflect the duality of modern living; inspired both by the vibrancy of city living as well as the restorative quality that nature provides.  

Now working at the height of his technical and creative confidence, Stephens continues to explore the visual impact of light and colour, seen in both his portraits and landscapes. His work reflects a sustained interest in patterns and visual rhythm, including geometric repetition, textile motifs and botanical forms.

Stephens’ has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His work is in public and private collections in Africa, USA, Europe and the Middle East.

EDUCATION

1980-82 University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
1983-84 San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, USA
1985-86 College of Marin, Kentfield, Ca, USA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2026    Sancta Botanica, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
2025    Twilight with Red Swallows, Everard Read, London, UK
2024    Tswalu – Muses of the Kalahari, Everard Read Johannesburg, in association with Fireblade Aviation, South Africa,
2021    Lambent Folds, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa,
2020    Local , Everard Read Johannesburg, South Africa
2017    Pleated, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2015    Scarf, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2013    Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria, Networks and Voids, Modern Nigerian Hairstyles with Okhai Ojeikere
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 Centre Museum, Arizona, USA,
             Studio Dimore, Florence, Italy
2005    Cactus and Sunflowers, Yuma Art Centre Museum, Yuma, AZ, 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, AZ, USA
2002     Spirit Vessels, Momoyama Art Space , Florence, Italy
2000     Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA, USA
1995     College of Marin; Kentfield, CA, USA
1991     Personal Icons, Braunstein / Quay Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
1990     Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Palm Springs, CA, USA
              Earthly Delights, Sun Gallery, Haward, CA, USA
              The Whimsical Animal, Yuma Art Center; Yuma, AZ, USA
1989    Heads, Claudia Chapline Gallery; Stinson Beach, CA, USA
1987    The Wild West Show, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA, USA
             The Phoenix Gallery, San Francisco, USA

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025    Southern Light, Everard Read, London, UK
              Summer Collection, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
2024    Inner Sanctum, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
              Winter Collection, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
2023    FNB Art Joburg, Everard Read Gallery Booth, Johannesburg, South Africa
2022    Winter, Everard Read, London, UK
              Summer, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
              Winter Collection, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
              Summer, Everard Read, London, UK     
2021    Summer, Everard Read, London, UK
2020    Staring Straight to the Future, Everard Read Galleries, South Africa & UK
              PINK, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
               Imago, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
              TINY, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
               Journeys of the Mind, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
              The Portrait Show, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
2018    Botanical group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2017    Summer Exhibition, Group show at Everard Read, London, UK
             20th Year Anniversary Exhibition, Knysna Fine Arts, Knysna, South Africa
2016    Opening Exhibition, Everard Read London, UK
             Summer Exhibition, Everard Read London, UK
2014    Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria, London 14, International Art Fair, Booth F9, UK
              Artco Gallery, Aachen Germany. London 14, International Art Fair, Booth H4, UK
2013    Everard Read Gallery, Sydney Contemporary13 art booth, Sydney,  Australia,
              Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg Art Fair, Sandton Civic Centre, South Africa
              Trees, David Krut, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
2012    Gallery Momo, Johannesburg, South Africa
2010    The World of Cape Town Art, Spanish Embassy, Cape Town, SA
2009    Greatmore Art Studios, Cape Town, South Africa
             Portraits, UCA Gallery, Woodstock, South Africa
2006    Summer Group Show, L’Albero Celeste, San Gimignano, Italy
1998    I. Wolk Gallery, St. Helena, CA, USA
             Mill Valley Sculture Garden, Mill Valley, CA, USA
             Ceramic Sculpture: A Fine Arta View, Mendocino Art Centre, CA, USA
1997    Bay Area Art, Napa Valley College, CA, USA
1996     Maps, Globes and Charts, Irvine Fine Arts Centre; Irvine, CA, USA
1994    A World of Maps, Anchorage Museum of History & Art, Anchorage, Alaska, USA

1993    Body Politic, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, USA
Self Portraits: True Stories, Bolinas Museum, Pt. Reyes, CA, USA
Earth Day Juried Show, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

1992    Shrines, Faulkirk Cultural Centre, San Rafael, CA, USA

1991    8th Juried Exhibition, LA Artcore, Los Angeles, Contemporary Virgins of Guadalupe, Downey Museum of Art, CA, USA
Biennial Exhibit, Dinnerware Artists’ Cooperative, Tucson, AZ, USA
Anti-War Signs, Nelson Morales Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA

1990    Juried Exhibition, Arpel Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Living Artists Program, Bolinas Museum, Bolinas, CA, USA
The Reflected Image, Elaine Horwitch Galleries; Scottsdale, AZ, USA
True Blues, Arizona Art Commission Traveling Exhibition
Elaine Horwitch Galleries; Sedona, AZ, USA

1989    San Francisco Art Commission Gallery, San Francisco (Curator, Rene Yanez), USA
Animals, Casa Grande Art Museum, Casa Grande, AZ, USA
Introductions, San Francisco Art Dealers Association, San Francisco, CA, USA

1988    New Landscapes, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA, USA
Southwest Christmas, Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA, USA
Yosemite Renaissance III, Yosemite Nat'l. Park, CA, 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, CA, USA

1985    Annual Exhibit, Crocker-Kingsley Museum, Sacramento, CA, USA

TEACHING/RESIDENCIES

2012    Printmaking lecture and workshop leader, Yaba Tech, Lagos, Nigeria
2008    Painting Residency, Greatmore Art Studios, Cape Town, SA
             Guest lecture, Living Artist, Polytech University of Milan, Italy
1993    Studied traditional Balinese painting with native artists, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
1990    Fairbanks, Alaska, “Animals, Myths & Monsters”, Ceramics Workshop, USA
             Juror, 64th Parallel Competition, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
             Exhibition, Residency, Public Lecture, and School Tours; Yuma Art Center, Yuma, AZ, USA

AWARDS

1994     Grant Recipient, Crafts Category, Marin Arts Council
1993     Best of Class (Drawing), Marin County Fair, Ca
1991     Best of Class (Mixed Media), Marin County Fair, Ca (Jurors: Wayne Thiebaud, Ruth Braunstein)
1986     Grand Prize, “Spirit of Agriculture” Contest, MALT, Marin, CA
              Honourable Mention, Marin County Fair, CA
1985     Honourable Mention Cash Award, Marin County Fair, California ,Invitational Exhibit Student Award,           Sausalito Art Festival, California