BIOGRAPHY
GARY STEPHENS
(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
1983-84 San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, USA
1985-86 College of Marin, Kentfield, Ca, USA
SELECTED 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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