Johann Louw was born in 1965 in Bellville, South Africa. He currently lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa. Louw graduated with a Masters in Fine Art from Stellenbosch University in 1992, and has since exhibited widely, both in South Africa and abroad. In 2007, the Sanlam Art Collection presented a mid-career retrospective as a tribute to Louw’s extensive output and distinguished career over the past two decades. This exhibition toured the country in 2008 and 2009, and was accompanied by a publication on the artist. Louw was awarded the Ampersand Fellowship in 2014.
In 2019 SMAC Gallery presented Louw’s body of work at the SOLO section at FNB Art Joburg at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. His work was also included in the Ampersand Award 21 years celebration exhibition, curated by Gordon Froud at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Earlier that year Louw presented a solo exhibition, entitled Lacrimosa, at SMAC Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2018 Louw presented a solo booth with SMAC Gallery at Istanbul Contemporary in Istanbul, Turkey; participated in a group show, entitled Endless Horizons Gráfica Sudafricana,at the Mexican Art Expo in Mexico City, Mexico and, Forward? Forward! Forward… at Stellenbosch University Museum in Stellenbosch, South Africa.