BIOGRAPHY
Claude Chandler - The artist
Claude Chandler is a full-time artist and the founder of SideTrack Studios, a vibrant creative collective in Cape Town.
Born into the dynamic art scene of Durban, Claude grew up surrounded by art, influenced by his parents, both of whom were respected figures in the local art scene. This early exposure to galleries and studios fostered his creative instincts, and in 2005, he took on a pivotal high school project—painting portraits of his teachers—which garnered commissions and solidified his identity as an artist. Pursuing his passion further, Claude earned a N.Diploma in Fine Art from the Durban University of Technology, where he developed a distinct artistic voice. After graduating in 2011, he moved to Cape Town, eager to establish his career outside the shadow of his family’s legacy in Durban. His work quickly gained recognition across South Africa and internationally, with Claude participating in numerous art fairs, solo exhibitions, and receiving acclaim as a finalist in the SPI Portrait Awards. Claude’s unique approach to portraiture is characterized by an innovative technique: using custom-made stamps to layer words and names in various tones until a portrait emerges through a web of text. This method has become a signature element of his work, allowing him to explore new subjects and translate this style into urban spaces through murals and street art. His venture into large-scale street art began in 2017 with BazArt’s Public Arts Festival in Salt River, where he embraced the challenges of working on a large scale in outdoor environments. In his murals, Claude often expands beyond portraiture to include expressive wildlife subjects, especially dinosaurs, blending his gallery themes with the freedom of urban art. A central theme in Claude’s work is the interplay between the digital and physical worlds, capturing how these realms intersect and impact personal identity. With the rise of social media, Claude has found a platform to reach broader audiences and engage with a global community, enhancing the dialogue between his art and contemporary life. . In 2020, Claude founded SideTrack Studios to provide a collaborative, professional space for artists in Cape Town, offering the kind of support and community he found essential in his own artistic journey. Through SideTrack, he fosters an environment for creativity and connection, enriching the city’s art scene and inviting both artists and audiences to reflect on the evolving relationship between self, society, and art. |