Schalk van der Merwe is a South African artist known for his distinctive style of painting that combines elements of realism, surrealism, and abstraction. Born in 1961 in Pretoria, South Africa, van der Merwe studied art at the University of Pretoria and later at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Van der Merwe’s artistic style is characterized by his use of vibrant colors, intricate details, and a strong sense of composition. His paintings often depict surreal and dreamlike scenes that explore themes of identity, memory, and the human condition. He draws inspiration from various sources, including African art, mythology, and literature.