Estelle Stemmet

Estelle Stemmet

Estelle (Esté) Stemmet is a South African artist whose work moves fluidly between realism and contemporary expression. Primarily working in oils, she also embraces a range of other mediums to bring depth and versatility to her art.

Raised in East London, Esté’s creative journey began with leatherwork and Bauernmalerei, a traditional German folk art, which she also taught from a young age. Her artistic path was strongly influenced by her uncle, acclaimed South African artist Charles Kohler, a boy who grew up in Paarl, who mentored her during her earlier years in Johannesburg in the 1980s and 1990s.

Alongside running an  interior decorating business in the city’s northern suburbs, Esté refined her understanding of colour, texture, and composition—skills that seamlessly translated into her painting practice.

Now living and working in the Garden Route, Esté paints passionately on a near-daily basis. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to creativity, shaped by personal heritage, disciplined technique, and an enduring appreciation for visual harmony.