About BJ
BJ Broekhuizen (b. 1979, South Africa) studied menswear fashion design (BTech Fashion) at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town. He was head Visual Merchandiser of Menswear at Harvey Nichols, London for 8 years but in 2009 he decided to devote himself completely to his art. At present he is a professional artist and his artwork has been sold to many collectors worldwide, from the USA, South Africa, Australia and throughout Europe.
BJ's signature is his bold use of colour, inspired by his African background. He works mostly in oils, spray paint on canvas and indian ink on paper. His usual suspects are mysterious and intriguing portraits with a mixture of abstraction. His art is also at times provocative and suggests visceral emotions related to identity, beauty and cultures.
Broekhuizen currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
News
2019:
BJ contributed two pieces of his work to be auctioned for the benefit of the Dutch Service Dogs Foundation (Hulphond Nederland) in the Netherlands at its semi-annual gala evening. The two portraits, one of a man and the other of a woman in mixed media on paper, were originally offered as a set but eventually purchased by two separate collectors after intense bidding.
The proceeds raised were used to support adults with various physical or psychological disabilities and children suffering from behavioural problems, learning disabilities, developmental issues or bullying. The Dutch Service Dogs foundation is one of the leading authorities for animal assisted therapy in Europe. To learn more see hulphond.nl
2017:
BJ was handpicked by Belgian fashion designer Walter van Beirendonck to collaborate on his "ZWART" Fall 2017 collection, the portrait BJ did of him on various scarves are being sold at all shops selling his clothes including his shop in Dover Street Market, London.
Exhibitions
2019:
Solo show "Travellers" Cape Town, South Africa
2016:
Affordable Art Fair Battersea IOB, London
2015:
Solo show "MAN" Dalston Superstore, London
Group show and having work in a private collection at CENTURY Private Members Club, London
2014:
Group show at Gallery on the Corner, Battersea, London
2013:
Group show at Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch London
2012:
Sold out show at art fair "New Artist Fair" Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
2011:
Group show "Art in Mind" Brick Lane Gallery, Shoreditch London
Press
2020:
PaperCity Magazine, USA, April 2020
2017:
Summerwinter Magazine, London
House and Leisure Magazine, South Africa
2016:
Harpers Bazaar Magazine, Australia
Fresh Paint Magazine, London
2015:
Flaunt Magazine, London
2012:
Sang Bleu Magazine, London
Mascular Magazine, London