Vendor Biography
Biography: Jos Steenkamp (Dr Jo Steenkamp)
Dr Jo Steenkamp, known artistically as Jos Steenkamp, is a renowned Clinical Psychologist and sculptor based in Pretoria, South Africa. With a doctorate in Psychology earned in 1991, Dr Steenkamp is the originator of the SHIP® (Spontaneous Healing Intra-systemic Process) psychotherapeutic method. His innovative work in this field has spanned nearly four decades and centres around the spontaneous healing of trauma and the psycho-biological regulation of internal dis-ease. In 2001, he founded The SHIP® Foundation, where he continues to serve as CEO and lead trainer.
Dr Steenkamp has authored five books and numerous internationally recognised articles. A regular speaker at academic institutions, business forums, conferences, and media platforms, his influence extends across both local and international landscapes. His life’s work has consistently focused on the transformation and wellness of the human psyche, drawing deeply from lived experience and clinical insight.
In 2021, after a 22 year hiatus dedicated to developing SHIP®, Jo returned to the sculpting studio, reigniting a passion he first explored at the age of 16. This return marked a full circle moment, uniting his understanding of psychological being with the tactile process of working with clay. His sculptural journey reflects a profound theme of “coming home”, a metaphor for the life long quest of finding self and living life in alignment with inner truth.
Jo’s sculptures are more than aesthetic objects, they are vessels of relational energy. Each piece emerges from an intuitive interplay of the conscious and unconscious, inviting the viewer into a shared experience of presence, beingness, and meaning. His creative process embodies what he describes as “the creative spirit of relational exchange”, wherein the observer becomes a co-narrator in the unfolding story of the artwork.
Guided by gratitude, relational insight, and spiritual depth, Jos Steenkamp work, both in psychology and sculpture, encourages a deeper dialogue between the seen and unseen, the spoken and unspoken. His artistic philosophy highlights the value of perceptual experiences and the richness of interaction, allowing his creations to serve as mirrors to our own inner journeys.
Whether through the written word, therapeutic innovation, or sculptural form, Dr Jo Steenkamp continues to shape spaces of healing, reflection, and creative connection.