Carien Quiroga

Carien Quiroga was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1966. After obtaining a BA (Criminology & Psychology) degree from the University of Pretoria she spent the following 5 years working in a Senior Citizen Care Center. Working in the Occupational Therapy Department her work focused on the recreation, education and stimulation of mentally and physically disabled older adults. While working at the Care Center, Quiroga returned to the University of South Africa, obtaining a BA degree in Fine Arts with distinction in 2001. She has worked extensively as both an artist and art educator. Quiroga’s own work, widely exhibited in her native South Africa and the USA, deals with the feminine principle and her personal experiences as a woman. Her work is deeply embedded in South African culture – socially and politically - with specific references to issues surrounding women, children and the environment. In 1998 she was awarded “Best Young Sculptor” in a nationwide competition of cement artists. As an art educator she has taught extensively at all grade and education levels, both in the school system and privately.