Deon Venter

The paintings and sculptures of South African-born artist Deon Venter is recognized and applauded both in his native country and internationally. His work questions common understandings about history and socio-political beliefs and examines the familiar in new mediums and terms. Much of his work addresses personal and universal issues of immigration and concepts of nationalism and belonging. His work is represented in numerous public and private collections internationally, including the National Art Museum of South Africa, the King George Art Museum of Port Elizabeth, the Canadian Department of External Affairs, and the Granite Club of Toronto.

Born in Despatch, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Venter immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1989 and much of his work in the 1990s addresses the issues surrounding this change. Even post-apartheid, Venter's work reflects the part of his life spent in an environment where freedom of expression and human rights were greatly suppressed.The result is art that is challenging and invites varied interpretations of meaning: Venter will not tell the viewer overtly what is happening. His work ranges from complex painting and sculpture installations to small representative paintings. Many of his paintings reflect his training in sculpture, and are constructed like sculptures built on canvas.

In 1986 Deon Venter received the Hans Marensky National Sculpture Award in recognition of his impressive body of work, both in South Africa and internationally. His most recent exhibitions include important retrospectives at French Laundry in Montreal, and Buschlen Mowatt Galleries in Vancouver.
Artist Work
Dolphins II
58 in x 78 in
mixed media on canvas

$15000

Artist Work
Signs
72 in x 96 in
mixed media on canvas

$18000

Artist Work
Signs II
72 in x 96 in
mixed media on canvas

$18000

Artist Work
Landing II
58 in x 78 in
mixed media on canvas

$15000

Artist Work
Landing III
78 in x 100 in
mixed media on canvas

$22000

Artist Work
Olympia #8
24 in x 54 in
oil on linen

$10000

Artist Work
L.S. Flesh
30 in x 60 in
mixed media on canvas and sheet metal

$15000

from The Order of Things series

Artist Work
Court Room No.3
73 in x 39 in
oil on linen

$14000

from the Flight 182 series

Artist Work
Missing No.8
56 in x 44 in
oil on linen

$12000

Artist Work
Lead
85 in x 109 in
tar, alkyd, enamel, kaolin, shellac, and glazes on canvas

$35000

from the Order of Things series

Artist Work
Flesh
85 in x 109 in
tar, alkyd, enamel, kaolin, shellac, and glazes on canvas

$40000

from the Order of Things series

Artist Work
Court Room #2
73 in x 65 in
oil on linen

$25000

Artist Work
L.S. Bone
30 in x 60 in
mixed media on canvas

$15000

Artist Work
Barcode Bone
36 in x 102 in
tar, alkyd, enamel, kaolin, shellac, and glazes on canvas

$20000

from the Order of Things series

Artist Work
B.C. Bone
30 in x 60 in
mixed media on canvas

$15000

from The Order of Things series

Artist Work
B.C. Flesh (Code 3 of 9)
30 in x 60 in
mixed media on canvas

$15000

from The Order of Things series

Artist Work
Absentis Coral
58 in x 96 in
mixed media on canvas and sheet metal

$28000

Artist Work
Names
87 in x 73 in
oil on canvas

$32000

Artist Work
Tapings No. 1
12 in x 48 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$4500

Artist Work
Tapings No. 2
49 in x 60 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$10000

Artist Work
Tapings No. 3
12 in x 48 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$4500

Artist Work
Tapings No. 14
in x in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

Artist Work
Tapings No. 12
12 in x 48 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$4500

Artist Work
Tapings No. 15
12 in x 48 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$4500

Artist Work
Tapings No. 17
12 in x 48 in
oil & gesso on tape and canvas

$4500