Johann Louw graduated with a Masters in Fine Art from Stellenbosch University in 1992, and has since exhibited to great critical acclaim both in South Africa and abroad. In 2007, the Sanlam Art Collection presented a mid-career retrospective as a tribute to Louw’s extensive output and distinguished career over the past two decades. This exhibition toured the country in 2008 and 2009, and was accompanied by a publication on the artist.

Most recently, Louw participated in a group show, entitled Endless Horizons Gráfica Sudafricana, at the Mexican Art Expo in Mexico City, Mexico. Louw also presented a solo booth with SMAC Gallery at Istanbul Contemporary, Istanbul, Turkey.

In 2009, Louw was selected to form part of Linguaggi del Mondo: Languages of the World an official collateral exhibition to the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009. In 2010 he exhibited in Environmental Concern and Human Existence at the 4th Beijing International Art Biennale, China, and Paralleli – the official exhibition of the Sabbionetta Biennale for Contemporary Art in Italy. Louw was awarded the Ampersand Fellowship in 2014. He was included in Home Truths, curated by Micheal Godby, that opened in late 2016, at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town, and later at the Sanlam Art Gallery in Belville. In the same year, the Association of Visual Art (AVA) Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa presented a solo exhibition of works by Johann Louw, entitled AVA Alumni: Johann Louw. The exhibition is the first in a series where a selection of established artists had the opportunity to showcase the history of their practice and their progression since originally showing with the AVA Gallery.

Solo exhibitions include:  Der Abschied at SMAC Gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2017; Loog at SMAC Gallery in Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2016; New Paintings in 2010 at SMAC in Stellenbosch, Terugkoms van Cythera (Return from Cythera) in 2013 at SMAC in Cape Town and Gestaltes, an exhibition of large scale works on paper at SMAC in Cape Town, in 2014. The University of Johannesburg Art Gallery presented his Et in Arcadia Ego in 2013.

Johann Louw will be presenting a solo exhibition titled Lacrimosa at SMAC Gallery in Cape Town.

Louw is currently participating in the Stellenbosch University’s Centenary Exhibition entitled Forward? Forward ! Forward … This exhibition is a future-oriented centenary exhibition of 100 artworks depicting the future of Stellenbosch University and higher education in Africa. Forward? Forward! Forward… opened on 5 December 2018 and will run until 30 April 2019.

[upcoming] Lacrimosa | SMAC Gallery | Cape Town, South Africa | 2019

Contemporary Istanbul | Istanbul, Turkey | 2018

‘Der Abschied’ | SMAC Gallery | Johannesburg, South Africa | 2017

AVA Alumni: Johann Louw | Association for Visual Arts Gallery (AVA) | Cape Town, South Africa | 2017

Loog | SMAC Gallery | Stellenbosch, South Africa | 2016

Gestaltes | SMAC Gallery | Cape Town, South Africa | 2015

Et in Arcadia Ego | University of Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) | Johannesburg, South Afrieca | 2013

Terugkoms van Cythera | SMAC Gallery | Cape Town, South Africa | 2013

New Paintings | SMAC Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa | 2011

Johann Louw: A Mid-Career Retrospective | Sanlam Art Gallery, Bellville | Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria | Oliewenhuis 

Art Museum, Bloemfontein | SASOL Museum | Stellenbosch University | Stellenbosch, South Africa | 2007

Untitled | Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) | Oudtshoorn, South Africa | 2007

Gaze | Erdmann Contemporary | Cape Town, South Africa | 2007

Marco Enrico Giacomelli | Artribune | Contemporary Istanbul. La fiera sul Bosforo compie 13 anni | 20 September 2018 – PDF

Nicola Kritzinger | Business Day | Louw art: baboon in our psyches is there when we die | 20 December 2017 – PDF

Tim Liebbrandt | The Weekend Argus | Scraping Away to Essential Shape | March 2016 – PDF

Melvyn Minnaar | Die Burger | Aanslag op die Onderbewuste | December 2014 – PDF

Johan Myburg | Die Beeld | Dood Skuil in Louw se Arcadia | 21 August 2013 – PDF

Cobus van Bosch | Die Burger | Louw se Skilderye Spreek Kleurtaal | 14 January 2011 – PDF

Melvyn Minnaar | Art Times | SMAC Gallery sends 3 Artists to the Prestigious 53rd Venice Biennale | July 2009 – PDF

Melvyn Minnaar | Cape Times | SA Turns Heads in Venice | July 2009 – PDF