LOUIS DE VILLIERS

b. 1987 Empangeni, South Africa

Louis de Villiers is a visual artist, art director, and graphic designer currently living and working in Brooklyn, New York.

From 2006-2017, he worked under the alias of SKULLBOY, and has exhibited throughout South Africa, Berlin, New York and Amsterdam; as well as made murals from Johannesburg to Hong Kong.

Since 2011, de Villiers has worked primarily in black, white and gold leaf – transitioning into his ‘Blue Phase’ in 2019 as his practice developed. Continuing to working primarily on large-scale-works on paper, his scenes explore themes of post-internet culture, social media and Iconography of Success through a metaphorical jungle-society.

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Louis de Villiers, 'Alchemy', 2019, Oil marker, acrylic, pencil and gold leaf on Fabriano, 960 x 980mm.jpg

Louis de Villiers, '(...)', 2020, China marker, oil marker and gold leaf on Fabriano paper, 825 x 620mm (framed).jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Lil Mona'.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Identity Crisis 2016', 2016, Acrylic paint and oil marker on Bristol, 17in x 14in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'You Will Know Him By His Grace And Goodness', 2016, Acrylic paint and oil marker on Bristol, 17in x 14in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'You Up_', 2016, Acrylic paint, pencil, oil marker and imitation gold leaf on paper, 20in x 14in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Notifications', 2016, Acrylic paint, pencil, oil marker and imitation gold leaf on paper, 28in x 20in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Hello MTN Woza Summer', 2016, Acrylic paint, pencil, oil marker and gold leaf on paper, 28in x 20in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Open Relationship Looking For Third Wheel And Admin', 2017, Acrylic paint, oil marker and gold leaf on paper, 45in x 22in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'So Nice To See You, Friend', 2017, Acrylic paint, oil marker and imitation gold leaf on paper, 45in x 66in.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'Staying Off Social Until The Heat Dies Down', 2017, Acrylic paint, oil marker & gold leaf, 45x60in.png

Open_relationship_looking_for_third_wheel_and_admin_sm.jpg

Louis de Villiers, 'My Brother’s Keeper', 2018, Oil marker, acrylic, gold leaf enamel on canvas with wooden rod and tassles, 1500mm x 2000m.jpg

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2019 SACRED CURRENCY - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2019 FLEX & FINESSE - Open Plan Studios, Durban, RSA

2018 We Ouchea - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2018 The Ascension - Gallery One11, Cape Town, RSA

2017 The Preoccupied Lives of Islands – Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2017 Crash The Banquet - Superchief Gallery, Brooklyn, USA

2015 Yung Metamoderni$m - Space Between, Cape Town, RSA

2013 A Sum of Parts - Upstairs Gallery, Durban, RSA

2011 Home Sweet Homies with Tokyo-Go-Go - Gallery415, Durban, RSA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022 POP CULT CUM DUMP - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2022 Endangered Species - Merchantec Capital x Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2022 On the Edge - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2021 MASS - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2019 Winter Salon 2019 - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2018 Memento Mori - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2018 A Contemporary Showcase - Graham’s Fine Art Gallery & Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

Art Fairs & Festivals

FNB Art Joburg Fair, Johannesburg RSA: 2021 - 2015

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, RSA: 2023 - 2015

Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg RSA: 2021 - 2015

Basha Uhuru Festival, Johannesburg, RSA: 2019

Art Basel Miami, Miami, USA: 2019

KKNK Festival ABSA ‘The Confessional’ Group Show, Oudtshoorn, RSA: 2017

List i Ljosi Art Festival in collaboration with Patricia Farrelly – Seyðisfjörður, ISL: 2017

Afrovibes Festival, Amsterdam, NLD: 2015