Growing up along an untamed coastline in South Africa has indelibly shaped Karlien van Rooyen’s artistic approach. Foraging wild foods, learning to hunt, and building with gathered materials kindled a profound affinity for raw earth materials from a young age.
At the age of sixteen, her path led her to Australia to specialise in neuroscience. However, after attending an international climate symposium, she experienced a transformative detour into environmental activism. Six years spent amidst bush blockades and legal battles against mining corporations ultimately compelled her to communicate perspectives from the front line through conceptual installations.
Karlien went on to attain a degree in Contemporary Art from the University of South Australia. She won the Minter Ellison Award for Artist with Outstanding Creative Potential and received a Carclew International Project Grant, which led to a seven-week ceramic residency in Jingdezhen, China, in 2018.
After twelve impactful years in Australia, Karlien has returned to her roots in South Africa where she now resides and pursues sculpture art full-time. Her art continues to draw profound inspiration from her passion for wild spaces and the true nature of the human spirit.
At the age of sixteen, her path led her to Australia to specialise in neuroscience. However, after attending an international climate symposium, she experienced a transformative detour into environmental activism. Six years spent amidst bush blockades and legal battles against mining corporations ultimately compelled her to communicate perspectives from the front line through conceptual installations.
Karlien went on to attain a degree in Contemporary Art from the University of South Australia. She won the Minter Ellison Award for Artist with Outstanding Creative Potential and received a Carclew International Project Grant, which led to a seven-week ceramic residency in Jingdezhen, China, in 2018.
After twelve impactful years in Australia, Karlien has returned to her roots in South Africa where she now resides and pursues sculpture art full-time. Her art continues to draw profound inspiration from her passion for wild spaces and the true nature of the human spirit.
Resume
Karlien van Rooyen Education
B.A. Contemporary Art – University of South Australia
2014 – 2016
Medical Science, Neuroscience Specialisation - Flinders University, Australia
2010 - 2021
Selected Exhibitions
1-54 London – Somerset House, London, England
2023
Enter Art Fair – THK Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark
2023
Unfold – 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2020
Shaping Things – SMAC Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2020
Eight Fingers Crossed – FELT Space, Adelaide, South Australia
2019
[Solo] InVivo – Worth Gallery – Fisher Jeffries Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2018
[Solo] Smoke That Thunders – Troppo Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2017
[Solo] Bush Dream Fever – Troppo Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2016
[Solo] Roo’d & BBQ’d – Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide, South Australia
2015
[Solo] Astraya’ and The Furrowed Brows – SALA Urban Cow Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2014
[Solo] Brazen – Adelaide Fringe Higher Ground Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2013
Selected Group Exhibitions
Square – SALA Whitmore Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2019
DWELL – Worth Gallery The Parade, Adelaide, South Australia
2018
Advertiser Contemporary Art Exhibition – SALA Festival, Keith Murdoch House, Adelaide, South Australia
2017
[Sic.] Rose – Praxis Art Space FRAN Festival, Adelaide, South Australia
2017
Helpman Academy Exhibition – Driller Hall, Adelaide, South Australia
2017
NEST – Urban Cow Gallery, SALA & Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide, South Australia
2016
Transference – The Metro Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2015
SHE’s Artistic – Female Festival of Arts, West End Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2014
Rayzist A Discovery of Glass – Liverpool Street Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2013
Everything Now – SALA - Three Doors Plus One, Adelaide, South Australia
2012
Nautical But Nice – Fringe Festival, Higher Ground Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia
2012
Selected Awards
Carclew Project & Professional Development Grant, Jingdezhen, China
2017
SALA Contemporary Art Prize Finalist
2017
Minter Ellison Award – Emerging Female Artist With Outstanding Creative Potential
2017
Adelaide Architecture and Design Award, University of South Australia
2016
Trudie Alfred Bequest Scholarship for Australian Ceramics
2016
Golden Key Honors Award, Semesters 1 & 2 for duration of UniSA degree
2016
Linda Lou Murphy Scholarship, University of South Australia
2014
Publications
What We’re Loving, Fairlady Magazine, South Africa
2022
Hands On, SA Living Magazine, Australia
2017
Creative Language At Work, Adelaide Matters p22, Australia
2017
2017
Spotlight Artist #16 – Adelaide Art History Magazine, Australia
2016
Feature Artist, Journal of Australian Ceramics
2016
She’s Artistic, Amnesty International Publication
2015