Steven Dalving
Artist & Architect
Where do I find a world where beauty and resilience coexist in perfect harmony?
For me the answer lies in the boundless richness of nature—its people, creatures, and flora. Born in 1978, in the Paardekraal Hospital in Krugersdorp, South Africa, I was cradled by a land teeming with natural wonders. This vibrant country, my motherland, became the foundation of my identity, shaping me from the very soil beneath my feet. From a young age, I felt an irresistible pull to capture the essence of my surroundings on paper.
Soil beneath my Feet
In 1995, after earning my Matric (humanities) diploma, I returned to Belgium with my parents and sister, reconnecting with our ancestral homeland. There, I pursued my passion for architecture at the Henry van de Velde Institute in Antwerp. This period honed my theoretical and abstract thinking, while the city’s rich cultural tapestry and historic charm intertwined with my innate, almost naive wonder. I began to experiment with various techniques and mediums—pencil, pastel, acrylic, and my beloved watercolour (see "Youth Collection"). Through these, I channeled the breathtaking beauty of nature and the animal kingdom, creating a counterbalance to the rigorous rationality of my academic pursuits (see "Blue & Brown Collection").
Humanity and its Emotions
The year 2002 marked a pivotal moment: I graduated with a sense of relief. That summer, I joined the studio of organic architect Marc Schepens, where I was introduced to the philosophy of anthroposophy. For two and a half years, I immersed myself in this world, until the call to forge my own path grew too strong to ignore. It was then that a new chapter began—a chapter defined by the blossoming of my unique creative path. My work evolved into a profound exploration of humanity and its emotions, capturing the essence of human existence through vivid, evocative scenes (see "Man & Emotions Collection"). Each piece became a mise-en-scène of life, a narrative woven from colour, movement, and spirit and moved in the medium of water and pigment.
Spritual Odyssey & Tangible Form
My art is a journey—a deeply personal and spiritual odyssey that unfolds spontaneously on the canvas. My creations are more than mere images; they are portals to the invisible, translating the intangible into tangible form. They tell not only my story but also the collective stories of the human condition. Through my work, we witness the awakening of human consciousness to a greater existence, a universal interconnectedness. This awakening is rooted in the body, where the earthly and the divine converge, and where the soul finds its deepest expression. I call this process The Organic—a continuous evolution of growth, discovery, and transformation.
The Organic - evolution of growth
My art is an invitation to see the world anew, to embrace the beauty of nature and the depth of human emotion. It is a celebration of life, a testament to the enduring power of creativity, and a reminder that we are all part of something greater.