John Kramer
John Kramer is a South African artist whose oil paintings capture the essence of the small town in the Western Cape, Karoo and beyond. Born in Worcester, Cape Province, in 1946, Kramer developed a deep appreciation for the region's unassuming houses, quirky shop-fronts, and nostalgic corner cafes. His artistic journey began in the early 1970s when he started photographing these structures, fearing their eventual disappearance. These images became the foundation for his realistic oil and acrylic paintings, which have since become highly regarded and collected world wide.
Kramer received formal art education at the Hugo Naude Art Centre in Worcester and later pursued a Diploma in Fine Art at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, majoring in painting. He is a winner of the Michaelis prize. In 1969 he joined the Van Zijl and Robinson advertising agency, as a junior finished artist, learning a new set of skills. In 1970 he joined the South African Museum as a designer, working on a diverse number of exhibitions ranging from Wonders of Nature to the Whale Well, ultimately rising to the position of Head of Exhibitions. In April 2002 he took early retirement from the Iziko Museums to pursue a full time painting career.
Currently residing in the Gardens suburb, Cape Town, he continues to captivate audiences with his solo exhibitions, showcasing his realistic paintings that capture the essence of the South African small town. A theme that he has pursued for over fifty years.
Throughout his career, Kramer has participated in numerous group exhibitions, leaving an indelible mark on the South African art scene. His work has been featured in prestigious events such as the Cape Town Biennial, Cape Town Triennial, and various exhibitions at renowned galleries like the South African National Gallery. He has had work shown in the Netherlands and Belgium. His work is in a number of private and public collections.
John Kramer's realistic paintings transport viewers to a bygone era, preserving the essence of small-town life in South Africa. With his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering passion for his craft, Kramer continues to make a significant contribution to the South African art landscape.
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