Claudette Schreuders

Claudette Schreuders, born on February 6, 1973, in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa, is a Dutch-born sculptor who grew up during a period of cultural and social transition in the final years of apartheid. Her small-scale wooden figures, intricately carved and painted, reflect the complexities and ambiguities of seeking an "African" identity in the post-apartheid era. Schreuders' work exists at the intersection of African and European traditions, drawing from a diverse array of influences, including medieval figures, sculptures from West Africa, and Spanish portraiture.

Narrative plays a central role in Schreuders' art, as she often transforms intimate and personal experiences into public stories. As she stated in Autobiography of Complexity by Rory Bester, “The human figure is quite easy to identify with and elicits feelings. Therefore, I avoid overly comfortable or familiar images.” This approach has led to her work being described as a “mastery of carving” by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with comparisons drawn to sculptors such as Jeff Koons and William Kentridge. Her pieces explore themes of self-identity, cultural discomfort, and complex spirituality, presenting figures that appear “monolithic, stoic, and timeless,” reflecting the ambiguities of searching for an African identity in a post-apartheid context.

Schreuders is known for her perfectionism, dedicating time and attention to her creative process to deepen her understanding of her subjects. In an interview with The Artist's Press, she shared, “I start with preliminary sketches, very simple drawings of what I want to create. I usually draw my sculptures in groups or on small pieces of paper. The drawings I make for my sculptures are very informal, while the prints are much more refined products. My first series of etchings was a record of some of my favorite sculptures. Afterward, I decided to document my work, as it is something that stays with me.”

Her background and the context in which she grew up have profoundly influenced her artistic vision, establishing her as a significant contemporary figure in the South African art scene. Through her sculptures, Schreuders invites viewers to engage with the intricacies of identity, memory, and the human experience in a rapidly changing world.