Johann van der Schijff

Johann van der Schijff is an artist living and working in Cape Town, South Africa. His work deals with questions of power relations in society. The undercurrent of apartheid and the pervasiveness of violence in its wake, lies beneath much of his thinking. His work takes on a highly personal and at times playful dimension where he reflects on the contradiction and dichotomies of living in a society of enormous disparities and oppositions.

He is an Associate Professor in the sculpture section of the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. He holds a Master of Fine Art (new media) (1997) Frank Mohr Instituut, Academie Minerva, Groningen, The Netherlands; a Master of Fine Art (sculpture) (1994), University of Cape Town; and a Bachelor of Fine Art, University of Pretoria (1990). His sculptural/new media works have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

Education

• 2015
 – MultiCam, Inc. Specialized EnRoute with Operator Training Dallas, Texas, United States of America
• 2013 
– Autodesk Inventor, Inventor Advanced Part Modelling Course, Modena Design Centres, Cape Town, South Africa (SA)
• 2012
 – Exchange project on prototyping methods and design materials, David Cuartillies' Arduino course, Malmo University, School of Arts and Communication, Sweden
• 2002
 – Macromedia Dreamweaver Course,
Hirt and Carter (Cape), Cape Town, SA
• 2002
 – Macromedia Flash Course, Concept Interactive, Cape Town, SA
• 1997
 – Alias/Wavefront – Level 2 Animation Course,
Silicon Graphics Computer System, Johannesburg, SA
• 1997
 – Master of Fine Art,
Frank Mohr Instituut, (previously Media-GN & SCAN), Academie Minerva, Hanze University for Professional Education, Groningen, The Netherlands
• 1994
 – Multimedia Course, Hirt and Carter Graphics, Cape Town, SA
• 1994
 – Master of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, SA
• 1990
 – Bachelor of Fine Art,
University of Pretoria, SA

Work experience

• 2012 to present, Associate Professor, Fine Art (Sculpture), Michaelis School of Fine Art (Michaelis), University of Cape Town (UCT), Cape Town, South Africa (SA)
• 2007 to 2011 – Senior Lecturer, Fine Art (New Media), Michaelis, UCT, Cape Town, SA
• 2001 to 2006 – Lecturer, Fine Art (New Media), Michaelis, UCT, Cape Town, SA
• 1999 to 2001 – Senior Lecturer, Fine Art (Multimedia), Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg (previously Technikon Witwatersrand), Johannesburg, SA
• 1998 to 1999 – Creative Director, SHiFT Interactive Communication, Johannesburg, SA
• 1997 to 1998 – 3D Computer Animator, DELAPSE – broadcast design / motion graphics, Johannesburg, SA
• 1995 – Creative Director, Coca-Cola Dome, HAPTICS, Johannesburg, SA
• 1995 – 3D Computer Animator, Hassall House, multimedia productions, Johannesburg, SA
• 1992 to 1994
 – Assistant to sculptor David Brown; worked on commission and erection of sculpture for Mr. Charles Diamond, Henley on Thames, United Kingdom, Cape Town / Henley UK
• 1989 to 1990 – Assistant photographer, Graeme Bridger Photography, Pretoria, SA
• 1988 to 1989 
– Editor of Rag Magazine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, SA
• 1988 – Assistant to sculptor Ettiene de Kock, Pretoria, SA
• 1988 – Third man, steel smelting ISCOR (now ArcelorMittal), Vanderbijlpark, SA
• 1987 – Marketing portfolio, Rag Committee, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, SA

Awards

• 2013
 – UCT Creative Works Award – Community Punching Bags. The Creative Works Award was established to recognise major creative works, including art works, performances, productions, compositions and architectural designs produced by UCT staff.
• 2010
 – Spier Contemporary 2010, Cape Town City Hall, Cape Town, 14 March – 14 May. Prizewinner: Artistin- Residency award, Thamdigi Foundation, Arnhem, Netherlands.
• 2008
 – International Exhibition of the Biennale of African Contemporary Art, DAK’ART 2008, Dakar, Senegal, 9 May to 9 June. Prizewinner of two main awards: European Union Award & Zuloga Corporation Award.
• 2006
 – Winner Public Sculpture Competition, Association For Visual Arts, Cape Town
• 1991
 – Merit award Volkskas Atelier Award
• 1990
 – Merit award New Signatures Competition, South African Association of Arts
• 1990
 – Runner up Best rag magazine, South African Universities – Editor
• 1989
 – Winner Best rag magazine, South African Universities – Editor
• 1988
 – Overall winner New Signatures Competition, South African Association of Arts
• 1986
 – Best matric art student, Afrikaanse Höer Seunskool