MICHELLE VILJOEN (b.1989)
Born in 1989 in South Africa, Michelle Viljoen is an photographer, artist and creative director who navigates the intricate realms of documentary and street photography, capturing fleeting moments that often go unnoticed.
These photographs serve as a mirror to the human condition, reflecting subtle emotions and scenes that resonate on a deeply personal level.
Transitioning from the tangible world of photography to the expressive domain of abstract and contemporary painting, her art explores themes of metamorphosis and emotional transformation.
Working across mediums such as oil paints, acrylics, and mixed media, her art embodies the continuous evolution of life’s journey. Each brushstroke and layered composition seeks to visualize the delicate beauty and fragility inherent in the human experience.
Michelle’s work is a heartfelt quest for connection amid a world that often feels disconnected. Inspired by the invisible threads that unite us all, her art aims to evoke introspection and emotional resonance.
The vibrant contrasts and dynamic movement within her paintings reflect an ongoing pursuit of harmony and understanding—both internally and externally.
Deeply rooted in personal experience, Michelle's art invites viewers to explore shared human fragments, finding beauty in life's complexity and in the moments that make us whole.
Through this ongoing creative process, she strives to foster a sense of connection, reflection, and collective empathy.
Winter Salon, Glen Carlou Gallery, Cape Town, 2024
Voices of Strength, Origin Art, Johannesburg, 2024
Forbidden Fruit Exhibition, Oculas World Trade Center, New York City, 2024
Decentral, Tokyo, 2023
City Life in Focus, Compstomp Studios, New York City, 2023
ART SHOW x NOLCHA Shows, New York City, 2023
Flannel Collective: We Own the Night, Auction/Curation FND, 2023
Flannel Collective: From Thought to Form,Auction/Curation FND, 2023
FOTO Exhibition, Superchief Gallery, New York City, 2023
MetaJungle Exhibition, Venice, 2022
Group Show, Compstomp Studios, New York City, 2022
Hopes and Dreams, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town, 2020
A State of Otherness, 281 Long Gallery, Cape Town, 2018