Artist Biography

MICHAEL BECKURTS (b.2000)

 

Michael Beckurts (b.2000) lives and works in Cape Town.

Since graduating in March 2022 from the Cape Town Creative Academy, he has been a full time visual artist working in watercolour, charcoal, oils and digitally.

Beckurts has had 3 solo exhibitions: “Archives” held at the Test Kitchen in Woodstock (2021), “Portraits of Nature, Portraits of Places” at MOK Gallery, Muratie wine estate, Stellenbosch (2022) and ‘Remember to Play” at Openwine, Wale Street (2023). He participated in the Baz Art International Public Arts Festival in Cape Town in 2019 and 2023 and has also displayed his artworks in several group exhibitions.

Beckurts has designed 5 wine labels, illustrated 2 books, and released a series of intricate screen prints with Black River Studios.

Combining his love of music with his astute observational skills, Beckurts is often seen at jazz sessions where he live-draws musicians and patrons in sketches projected onto a wall.

Drawing from memory to create vivid scenes, Beckurts’ oils on canvas and large charcoals are characterised by rapid mark making and striking compositions. From family gatherings, to farm road walks, to nights out with friends, central to all these scenes is the connection to nature and connection to people.

 

In the words of Ashraf Jamal, “Beckurts’ art draws us towards what we long for most – stillness, with all its tremulous vivacity. [He] is a marvel of promise in an embittered world.”