David Kuijers
Overview
Who Is Scotty by David Kuijers
As a child I spent a lot of time in the wild and it represented an independence of thought and freedom of movement that I cherished. As 'the boy who can draw' I also sensed a separateness from my peers and adults that was at once disconcerting and appealing.
David Kuijers (b. 1962, South Africa) is a celebrated contemporary artist renowned for his vibrant, playful style and dynamic use of colour and clean-cut lines.
A graduate of the Cape Technikon with a major in illustration, Kuijers was awarded Top Student before freelancing for a decade as a designer/illustrator. In 1999, he transitioned to working as a full-time artist, securing major commissions for leading institutions including The President Hotel and Radisson Blu in Cape Town. His work has been published and exhibited internationally, including in the 2004 DeMontford Fine Art Ultimate Collection.
Based in Greyton in South Africa's Western Cape province, Kuijers continues to explore a wide range of styles and techniques, producing art that radiates energy, humour, and optimism.
Biography
David Kuijers
My biggest early influence was the French painter Raoul Dufy. His paintings have a vitality that to me is the visual arts equivalent of perpetual motion. The energy he painted with was transferred rather than expended in the process.
David Kuijers (b. 1962, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa) is the son of Dutch immigrant parents.
His early talent for the arts was recognised during his time at the Pretoria School of Art, Music & Ballet, where he graduated with a distinction in graphic art and was awarded Best Painter in 1980. Following two years of military service in Cape Town, Kuijers briefly worked as a signwriter before enrolling at the Cape Technikon to study Graphic Design, majoring in illustration. Upon graduating, he received the Top Student Award.
For the next decade, Kuijers worked as a freelance designer and illustrator while steadily building his reputation as a painter. In 1999, he transitioned to full-time artistry, supported by large-scale commissions for prestigious clients, including The President Hotel and Radisson Blu at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.
In 2002, his work was celebrated in the publication David Kuijers Paints the Town (Cape Town), and in 2004, he collaborated with British publishers DeMontford Fine Art, with his paintings featured in their Ultimate Collection
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Today, Kuijers lives and works in Greyton, South Africa, with his wife, artist Dina Kuijers, and their three children-two of whom are artists themselves. He works across four self-defined stylistic categories, each showcasing his mastery of colour, composition, and conceptual play. His art is instantly recognisable for its bright palettes, sharp outlines, layered textures, and subtle wit.
Kuijers resists strict categorisation, preferring instead to embrace multiple styles and mediums - a freedom he describes as essential to his creative expression. His works range from bold abstracts to quirky figurative pieces, united by an underlying sense of joy, curiosity, and narrative intrigue.
David's paintings are held in private and corporate collections worldwide and continue to engage audiences with their optimistic energy and vibrant contemporary appeal.