Sue Kaplan | Fish Hoek - Cape Town | Paintings

Sue Kaplan grew up in the Eastern Cape, and after many years of living in Johannesburg, she’s now back in Cape Town—living near the sea again.

She holds an MAFA from Wits; an Honours Degree in Curating from UCT; a BAFA from UNISA; an Advanced Diploma in Fine Art from Wits; as well as having completed Art Therapy and Zen Coaching courses.

She has worked in many different communities, spanning such diversity as the Katlehong Art Centre in the 1980s, and LISOF in the 2000s. She has facilitated numerous workshops focused on Art Therapeutic modalities, and spent several years working in various rehab centres in the Western Cape.

Her teaching and her own practice go hand in hand, each informing the other. Most of her recent work is made in response to encounters, sensations, and explorations in her life.

"My painting is visceral and fairly intuitive—like a sort of diary; more impulse than rigour, but still engaging with my values and identity in the moment. What emerges is a soothing balm: the meditative and immersive nature of the creative process, both in my teaching and in my own art-making, offers a welcome respite from the woes of the world."

Collections and Exhibitions

She has work in numerous private collections, both locally and internationally. Sue has participated in a number of group shows, most recently a curated show titled Bread and Roses at 11 on Windsor, Kalk Bay. A selected number of works are available at @StateoftheARTGallery both online and in their physical gallery in Cape Town.

Selected Exhibitions:

• Bread and Roses, self-curated show at 11 on Windsor, Kalk Bay (2023)
• Smith Gallery, Cape Town (2016)
• Michaelis School of Fine Art – Honours in Curatorship Solo (2017)
• Agassiz Gallery, Boston, USA (2019)
• Liebricht Gallery, Somerset West
• 6 Spin Street, Cape Town (2019)

Teaching and Studio Life

Sue teaches from a studio at Montebello Design Centre as well as from her home studio in Fish Hoek.

In her spare moments, you will find her pottering in her garden or swimming in the sea.

Follow Sue

Stay connected and view more of her work:

Instagram: @susikaplan2

Art Classes: @suzi_artclass

Website: www.suekaplan.com