Piet Grobler

I simply tell stories with my paintings. I believe that all art is essentially illustration, that all work is narrative. Some artists may object vehemently to this classification, but I am content to call myself an illustrator. Anyway, all paintings have a frame of reference that lay the foundation for the work. Everything we do has a history and what is history? It’s a story. Cape Review, April 2001. Interview with Sam Woulidge, South Africa
1959–1977 Born on 26 September 1959 in Nylstroom in the Limpopo Province bushveld, South Africa. Grew up with four siblings on the family’s farm on the Springbok Flats and attended local schools. Childhood was spent in nature, playing with animals, and drawing and reading for hours. 1978–1989 Studied Theology (BA and BD degrees) at the University of Pretoria and served as a reverend of the Dutch Reformed Church (Hervormde Kerk) for five years. Illustrated a series of Bible books and educational books as auto-didact. 1990–1995 Obtained an Honours degree in Journalism and a Certificate in Graphic Design. Worked as graphic designer and layout artist. Illustrated more picture books. 1996–2008 Started to freelance as an illustrator and decided to focus on picture books. Participation in the BIB competition in Bratislava was instrumental in the decision to follow a career in picture book illustration and to obtain an MA degree in Fine Arts (Illustration). A series of international and national awards followed – amongst others two silver medals in the Noma Concours, the Octogone de Chêne prize, and a BIB plaque. Held two teaching posts: at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and at Stellenbosch University. Other academic or book projects include acting as external examiner in MA examinations (Stellenbosch University and University of South Africa) and ad hoc art directing. Involved in community projects like book-making, story-telling and intermediating between indigenous illustrators and publishers. Ran a studio gallery called Hoi Hannelore! and other stories in Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. 2009 Relocates to the UK. Lives in Ely, Cambridgeshire with wife Marie, daughter Catherina and dog Alice. Lectures picture book illustration on an ad hoc basis at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. * *