life on mars | a new series
Launch
Get it right
Get it right
Acrylic on beech ply, 82 x124cm, 70 x 50cm, 2026, R 18 000
Get it right
Get it right
Get it right
Acrylic on beech ply box, 59,4 x 84,1 x 5cm, 2026, R 14 000
Top to Bottom
Get it right
Top to Bottom
Acrylic on beech ply box, 59,4 x 84,1 x 5cm, 2026, R 14 000
Says who?
Top to Bottom
Acrylic on beech ply box, 59,4 x 84,1 x 5cm, 2026, R 14 000
Rover
Acrylic on board, 43 x 84 cm, 2026, R 6000
Stacks
Acrylic on board, 43 x 84 cm, 2026, R 6000
Yours or Mine?
Acrylic on board, 33 x 30cm, 2026, CONTACT WORLDART
Balancing Act
Acrylic on board, 33 x 30cm, 2026, CONTACT WORLDART
Try Me!
Try Me!
Acrylic on board, 33 x 30cm, 2026, CONTACT WORLDART
some career highlights
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
3 Sept - 31 October 2026
Photography: Karina Turok,
Artist: Karen Stewart
This series of documentary black and white portraits printed onto canvas tracks the story of years of treatment and the psychological transformation, as well as the emotional and physical highs and lows, following a breast cancer diagnosis.
THE JOY PROJECT Solo show WORLDART
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
5-30 JUNE 2026
Curated by Charl Bezuidenhout.
Surrounded as we are by the whirlpool of negative media, world leaders trying to out-mad each other daily, local politicians pushing thorns in our side and Kokerbome keeling over, artist Karen Stewart has picked up her angle grinder and paint brushes to create a few moments of calm and contemplation.
The Àkéte Collection, Lagos
FLEETING GLIMPSES Solo Show Mullers Gallery
BRAVE NEW WORLD Graham Contemporary 2024
How to Build a Lagoon with Just a Bottle of Wine?
26 Oct – 30 Nov 2019
Photography Ed Suter
Paper works Karen Stewart
This collaborative project worked with images taken of the everyday functional but overlooked spaces around Cape Town, South Africa.
Curated by Antawan Byrd, Tosin Oshinowo, and Oyindamola Fakeye. The Àkéte Collection brings t
How to Build a Lagoon with Just a Bottle of Wine?
26 Oct – 30 Nov 2019
Photography Ed Suter
Paper works Karen Stewart
This collaborative project worked with images taken of the everyday functional but overlooked spaces around Cape Town, South Africa.
Curated by Antawan Byrd, Tosin Oshinowo, and Oyindamola Fakeye. The Àkéte Collection brings together significant works from past editions of the Biennial as a long-term cultural archive and resource. and will be launched in October in 2026.
BRAVE NEW WORLD Graham Contemporary 2024
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
BRAVE NEW WORLD Graham Contemporary 2024
The spring group show, ‘Brave New World,’ featured a lineup of talented contemporary artists, including Marc Standing, Karen Stewart, Kpe Innocent, Gabrielle Raaff, Matthew Prins, Xanthe Scout Lardner-Burke, Mookho Ntho, and more.
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
Solo show presented by Candice Berman at Design Joburg a premier design showcase event at the Sandtown Convention Centre.
An anxiolytic (also anti-panic or anti-anxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that inhibits anxiety. All of the works in this series are named after the active ingredients in these medicines.
#ARTladies Candice Berman Contemporary 2019
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT Solo show at DESIGN JOBURG by Candice Berman Gallery 2019
Chrisél Attewell, Tanya Bonello, Odette Graskie, Amogelang Maepa, DuduBloom More, Thirza Schaap and Karen Stewart.
7 – 22 August 2019
#ARTladies women’s month group exhibition, curated by Candice Berman, features the work of female artists represented by Berman Contemporary.
BIG IN JAPAN at 100% DESIGN - Candice Berman Gallery
OPENING THE CURIOSITY BOX - SOLO presented at National Library of South Africa
OPENING THE CURIOSITY BOX - SOLO presented at National Library of South Africa
7-11 August 2019
Dave Robinson & Karen Stewart curated by Candice Berman and presented alongside Magicode bespoke Italian designer furniture.
OPENING THE CURIOSITY BOX - SOLO presented at National Library of South Africa
OPENING THE CURIOSITY BOX - SOLO presented at National Library of South Africa
OPENING THE CURIOSITY BOX - SOLO presented at National Library of South Africa
Feb - March 2007
Artist’s book celebrating South African indigenous knowledge systems through visual story telling and research into travel journals of early botanical explorers. Watercolour botanical works of herbarium sheets, show casing a curated collection of 17th C botanical books from the library’s Africana Collection.
CONNECT TO MY WORK THROUGH MY GALLERIES
works & exhibitions in clay
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2026
July 25 – August 5, 2026
BAD BUNNY MOTHER, Glazed fired terracotta, 2026
Celebrating one of South Africa’s richest ceramics awards, the Western Cape’s premier ceramics exhibition returns for its 53rd year to the historic Castle of Good Hope.
Selection Panel: Zanoxolo Sylvester Mqeku and Amogelang Maepa.
Grounded PRACTICE 2025
26 May to 14 September 2025
NATURE’S MEGAPHONES, Glazed fired terracotta clay, 38 x 15x 16, 2024
26 May to 14 September 2025
NATURE’S MEGAPHONES, Glazed fired terracotta clay, 38 x 15x 16, 2024
Curated by Tamlin Blake, chief curator at Spier Arts Trust, the exhibition featured 63 ceramic artworks by 42 artists from across South Africa – each one thoughtfully selected to explore themes of stability, sustainability, and self-reflection.
'Grounded Practice' offers more than a showcase of beautiful objects; it’s a timely conversation about what it means to feel rooted in a world of change.
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2024
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2024
29 July - 8 August 2024
COMPLETE CONTROL , Glazed fired terracotta, 2024
The Premier Award went to Doreen Hemp. The exhibition was curated by Craig Carbutt and featured Lisa Firer, Kendal Warren, Greg Price and Siyabonga Fani among others.
Maker's Mark Exhibition
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2024
21 to 25 September 2023
5-STACK, Glazed fired terracotta clay, 38 x 15x 16, 2024
The exhibition celebrated notable local figures like author/ceramicist Doreen Gail Hemp, functional pottery expert Corinne de Haas, and contemporary ceramic artists like Karen Stewart. A selection of my work from this time was exhibited on the Maker's Mark curated by Zach Taljaard.
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
29 July - 8 August 2023
Three Women Standing, Ceramic works with interchangeable leaves, 2022
R 12 000
The awards and selections were judged and presented by Liz Sanchez, with top honours (Premier Award) going to Cape Town ceramist Siyabonga Fani.
Works Held by Graham Contemporary
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
Ceramics SA Juried exhibition 2023
BAUBLE, BAUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE, fired terracotta clay - glazed
40 H x 20 W x 25 D, 2023
Graham Contempory holds a selection of my work. Contact Christina on 082 330 0926 to enquire.
some CURATION highlights
Botanical Art & Photography 2026 at SUBG
2 October - 5 November 2026
The ground breaking work Dr Kirkwood was involved in is continued through this exhibition that highlights the garden's role in conservation, education and research while giving visitors the opportunity to relax, learn and explore, and delight in this artistic celebration of our flora.
James & Shirley Sherwood Botanical Art Collection at SUBG
9 May - 20 September 2026
The world’s youngest florilegium showcasing art as powerful communication toolis the initiative of Dr Don Kirkwood (PhD Botany Ecology) late curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, Karen Stewart M.Phil (Botanical Illustration) and chair of the Botanical Artists’ Association of southern Africa’s
9 May - 20 September 2026
The world’s youngest florilegium showcasing art as powerful communication toolis the initiative of Dr Don Kirkwood (PhD Botany Ecology) late curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, Karen Stewart M.Phil (Botanical Illustration) and chair of the Botanical Artists’ Association of southern Africa’s Cape branch, Annerie Senekal (curator of SUBG), Prof Leanne Dreyer a world expert in the mega diverse Cape Oxalis.
Dreyer Kirkwood Brendel Botanical Models at SUBG
13 February 2026 – 8 March 2026
Curated by Karen Stewart, labels written buy Prof Léanne Dreyer, Annerie Senekal and Celeste de Kock, labels illustrated by Matthew Moir.
Robert Brendel produced these popular botanical models in Germany. Used by Stellenbosch University's Botany department, probably in the 1920’s but over time fell out of
13 February 2026 – 8 March 2026
Curated by Karen Stewart, labels written buy Prof Léanne Dreyer, Annerie Senekal and Celeste de Kock, labels illustrated by Matthew Moir.
Robert Brendel produced these popular botanical models in Germany. Used by Stellenbosch University's Botany department, probably in the 1920’s but over time fell out of use . The exhibition displays the collection donated to the gallery by Prof Léanne Dreyer and through careful labelling tell the the story of what each model was designed to teach.
Student & Novice exhibition at SUBG
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
14 March – 4 April 2026
Curated by Karen Stewart, this exhibition was open to artists who have never exhibited. allowing them to gain experience in exhibiting art, artwork pricing, framing requirements and to gain exposure and experience.
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
13 September 2024 - 15 January 2025
Curated by specialist botanical art curator Karen Stewart, the exhibition brings together 34 top South African artists and photographers. Artistic celebration of nature is combined with scientific rigour, showcasing the detail and unique characteristics of local plants.
Botanical Art & Photography Exhibition 2024
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
Botanical Art & Photography 2025 at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG)
28 Sept - 6 October 2024
Curators: Karen Stewart & Dr Donovan Kirkwood
Showcase of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden's incredible impact on conservation, education and academic support. Botanical art tells the story of the plants SUBG contributes to conserving.
PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
14 – 25 April 2023
PLANT 2023, presented by the Botanical Artists Association of South Africa (BAASA) showcased paintings of eco-systems, pollinators, and natural elements that interact with our floral kingdom. Curator, Karen Stewart, will introduce renowned artists and exciting new talent to local and international visitors at the much anticipated exhibition.
Flora Fest at SUBG
PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
7 – 15 October 2023
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG) the oldest academic botanical garden in South Africa – celebrated its centenary during the SU Toyota Woordfees with a special event called the Stellenbosch Flora Fest.
“SUBG not only holds key living collections supporting long-term research programmes at SU; it
7 – 15 October 2023
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG) the oldest academic botanical garden in South Africa – celebrated its centenary during the SU Toyota Woordfees with a special event called the Stellenbosch Flora Fest.
“SUBG not only holds key living collections supporting long-term research programmes at SU; it is also the perfect place to showcase the fascinating and relatable research work being done. Our world-class Oxalis living collection and many other projects are only possible because of the collaboration between SUBG and Stellenbosch University academic colleagues," said Donovan Kirkwood.
about
Karen Stewart (b. 1970, South Africa) is a contemporary abstract artist and botanical art curator dedicated to deepening our understanding of art and the botanical world.
She founded the James & Shirley Sherwood Botanical Art Collection at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG) together with the late Dr. Don Kirkwood, and has curated numerous botanical art exhibitions at SUBG and Kirstenbosch.
Alongside her curatorial practice, Karen is an accomplished exhibiting artist whose work explores themes of transformation, restoration and sanctuary through painting, collage, clay and sculpture. As Chair of the Botanical Artists’ Association of Southern Africa’s Cape branch, she champions dialogue between contemporary art and ecology.
In 2025 she had a solo at WORLDART entitled The Joy Project. Believing art has a valuable message to deliver, Karen embraces creativity, positivity, and the joy of being human – despite everything. In 2026 she collaborated with photographer Karina Turok on Fleeting Glimpses, an empowering commentary on cancer treatment.
Karen has a MPHIL (Fine Arts) from the University of Stellenbosch. She taught design for ten years at the Craft and Design Institute, Ruth Prowse, and the AAA School. Before that she worked as a graphic designer.
She has exhibited at Turbine Art Fair in Johannesburg and at the Lagos Biennale. Her work is in the Spier Art Trust, the Brenthurst Library, the Stellenbosch University Library and the James & Shirley Sherwood Botanical Art Collection. She received an honourable mention at the Volkskas Atelier Awards and has been featured in several South African art publications.
