LIRA VAN STADEN
About
Lira van Staden
I am a South African visual artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur with a multidisciplinary practice grounded in public engagement, social transformation, and emotional expression. My work explores the intersection of art and community, often using participatory and interactive methods to create spaces for dialogue, healing, and reflection.
My artistic journey spans over a decade and includes a strong focus on interactive public art. I am particularly interested in how art can serve as a platform for collective storytelling and personal empowerment. Projects like Mega Phone Me (2018) and my ongoing Post-box initiative invite the public to engage through writing and shared narratives, transforming everyday objects into vessels of emotional expression and community voice.
I hold a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, where my research critically examined the challenges of creating democratic public artworks within bureaucratic systems. This inquiry culminated in PLEASE HOLD . . . an installation and solo exhibition that reimagined the aesthetics of bureaucracy and positioned the public as active participants in meaning-making.
In addition to my artistic practice, I have extensive experience in arts education. I have taught art in various capacities and contexts, and I am deeply passionate about fostering creative thinking, critical dialogue, and material exploration in the classroom. My teaching philosophy centres on inclusion, experimentation, and connecting theory with lived experience.
Alongside my art and teaching work, I have founded several businesses that reflect my diverse interests—from hospitality and sustainable farming to artisan candle design and emotional support services. Each venture has contributed to my holistic approach to creativity, community, and care.
I am currently seeking opportunities to lecture in visual arts, contribute to academic research, and exhibit my work both locally and internationally. I am particularly drawn to institutions and galleries that value interdisciplinary practice, social relevance, and education as a transformative tool.
