Karin Preller lives and works in Johannesburg. After a relatively brief career in law, she completed a BA(FA) (cum laude) at Unisa and an MA(FA) (cum laude) at the University of the Witwatersrand, lecturing in Art History at UNISA and other tertiary institutions. At present she is registered for a PhD in Art and Design at the University of Johannesburg while continuing her work as an artist.

Preller has participated in numerous group shows and has had a number of solo exhibitions: Family Album at ABSA gallery in 2001 Snapshots at Gordart Gallery in 2007 Aperture at Fried Contemporary in 2008 Stills at Artspace (now Lizamore and Associates) in 2009 City and Suburban at the Standard Bank Gallery in 2010 Just above the mantelpiece at Artspace (now Lizamore and Associates) in 2013 Stilled lives at Lizamore and Associates in 2015 Stilled lives II at the Association of Arts in 2018 Almost no memory at Lizamore and Associates in 2020 Vestiges of light at Helpmekaar Kollege in 2021 and Beyond memory at the 2022 KKNK, amongst others.

Preller’s work is included in a number of corporate collections. These include The Johannesburg Art Gallery, Sasol, ABSA, Unisa, Oliewenhuys Art Museum, The Public Protector, ATKV, the Pretoria Art Museum and the Standard Bank.