Kirsten Eksteen was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She was the first student to pursue art as a subject at Grassdale Secondary School. Kirsten attended the Peter Clark Art Centre between the years 2011 and 2014. Eksteen achieved a BA Honours in Fine Art from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, where she was on the UCT Dean’s List.
Eksteen became the first artist to make history in the Absa L’Atelier 2018 competition by having two bodies of work recognised within the top 10 finalists. She was subsequently awarded the New York Ampersand residency and designed the Absa L’Atelier trophy for the 2019 winners.
Women and their journey to discovering and steadfastly holding their space within our contemporary society is the inspiration and passion behind the art of Kirsten Eksteen. These explorations are visible throughout her latest exhibitions with The Absa Art Gallery and M Studio Community.