Zander Blom

Zander Blom (b. 1982, Pretoria) is a prominent South African contemporary artist celebrated for his dynamic and experimental approach to painting. Initially enrolling in Information Design, Blom soon left formal studies to independently pursue his passion for art, beginning with printmaking and video before dedicating himself to painting. Now based in Cape Town, he has become a significant figure in the global art scene.

Deeply influenced by 20th-century modernism, Blom’s work engages in a vigorous dialogue with art history, referencing masters like Mondrian and Bacon while constantly challenging the conventions of painting. His practice is characterized by a relentless drive for innovation, not only in composition but also in method. He famously repurposes everyday objects into unconventional tools, creating richly textured and gestural impasto works on unprimed Belgian linen.

Blom’s career has moved through distinct phases, from early photographic projects documenting installations in his studio to various styles of abstraction and a recent return to monochrome palettes. This constant evolution is central to his process, which he views as a "voyage of discovery."

He has held numerous solo exhibitions at leading galleries, including STEVENSON in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and Galerie Hans Mayer in Düsseldorf. His work has been featured in major institutions such as the Norval Foundation and the Iziko South African National Gallery. In 2014, Blom won the prestigious Jean-François Prat Prize in Paris, and his work is included in Phaidon's seminal anthology, Vitamin P3: New Perspectives in Painting.