Madeleine van Manen
I graduated in 1989 with an NDip Fine Art (Painting) from the then Port Elizabeth Technikon (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). After leaving art school, I worked in the advertising and publishing industry for two decades, owned and ran a small gallery before finally getting an opportunity to start working as an artist full time. I currently work from my studio in Bree Street, Cape Town, focusing on painting and printmaking.
Early career
During my early career – after graduating from art school and before becoming a full time artist in 2012 – I worked as a graphic designer, a freelance writer and journalist, a campaign manager at a large corporation and I did a short stint in the advertising industry before running a small gallery from my home for two years.
Teaching
From September 2019 until December 2023 I was a part-time art teacher at the Lycée Français du Cap. While this was fulfilling, I needed more time and energy for my own art. On request, I present small workshops in various painting and printing techniques.
Community work
Some projects included working with Lesedi La Batho (Mamelodi), a farm school in Durbanville, donating art to various causes as well as teaching two special needs teenagers (autism and fetal alcohol syndrome) on a one-on-one basis. I continue to donate work to worthy causes through auctions and exhibitions.
Groups
I have been part of Creative Block with Spier Arts Trust since 2016, and recently also part of Union Fair.
Since the start of 2023, I have been part of The Printing Girls, which is a group of about 100 local and international women in printmaking who share skills and exhibit together.
