Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Gavin Jantjes studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art before moving to Germany in the 1970s to continue his education at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg. His early career was defined by his engagement with the anti-apartheid movement, which heavily influenced his artistic output and his later work as a cultural critic and curator.

Jantjes works primarily as a painter, utilizing a range of visual languages to address complex socio-political narratives. His practice often bridges the gap between fine art and institutional critique, focusing on the representation of marginalized histories within global art spaces. His work is characterized by a deep intellectual rigor and a commitment to challenging Eurocentric perspectives in art history.

Throughout his career, Jantjes has held numerous academic and curatorial positions, including serving as a senior curator at the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in Norway. His influence continues to be felt through his writing and his role in shaping the discourse around contemporary African art, with his works frequently being acquired by major international institutions for their permanent collections.