Karsters has devoted over a half century to art and art teaching. He has exhibited in over seventeen countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. His significant achievements include being selected as participant in the following international exhibitions: in 2007- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations: Exhibition of paintings " The Colours of Suriname”, New Delhi, India; in 1998- The Inter-American Development Bank Exhibition, Washington, D.C. USA; in1993 -the Carib Art Exhibition World Tour starting in Curacao. He was the winner of the OAS sponsored IICA Award on the Quincentennnial Anniversary of the Discovery of the Americas in 1989.

Ruben Karsters is an autodidact. Since he was a toddler, Ruben was busy in a conspicuous way with drawing. As he puts it, “I was fond of tinkering.” When he was twelve, he had mastered the art of drawing so well that he was invited to join a group of three older artists. At 13, he began giving lessons to children from the age of eight to thirteen. He produced his first accomplished oil painting at 16.

Ruben Karsters belongs to the more traditional generation of painters. He is an admirer of the style used by the old masters and their influence is clearly reflected in his own style. He has shown a distinct preference for doing portraits. He works mainly in oil on canvas ,but has successfully used pastel,  pencil and even ballpoint .

After three years (1957-1960) in the CCS School of Visual Arts in Paramaribo, Karsters went to the Netherlands. He spent the years 1961-1963 training at the Tilburg Academy. Then he went on to the State Academy of Fine Art in Amsterdam (1963-1968).

In addition to his creative artist output, Ruben Karsters has made an invaluable contribution to the teaching and training of art students in Suriname. He has been an art teacher and lecturer since 1970. He taught not only at many secondary schools, but also at the Teachers’ Training College. From 1968-1970, he was Director of The Cultural Center in Paramaribo. From 1981 to 2006, he was associated with the Academy of Arts and Culture first as Deputy Director (up to 1984) and for the rest of the period as an Art Lecturer.

Since 2003 Professor Karsters has been with the AlphaMax Academy as Head of their Art Program. His dream now is to create a University level art program to allow Surinamese art students to get training in Suriname. At the AlphaMax Karsters has created his own art program and has managed to motivate his students to the highest levels of creative work. In 2007, one of his students won the prestigious Parson’s Caribbean/African Art Scholar Award.