Which artists, books or music have inspired your work?
Artists who have inspired me would be a Spanish artist Daniella Jones, and a Berlin artist, Peggy Kuiper. I also like to put a bit of playful whimsy in my work and I think that draws back to a childhood book I used to love, called “Winnie The Witch”. I think it’s Winnie and her black cat that has unknowingly shaped my interests and aesthetic growing up.
Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why?
I most admire Dumile Feni. His approach to fi gurative art is incredibly memorable, along with his meaningful ability to communicate pain and suffering through expressive, distorted forms. His piece ‘African Guernica’ is especially captivating, he managed to capture the emotional reality of his time in such an impactful way.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
It would definitely be one of Peggy Kuipers artworks!
Pick three artists who you would be honored to exhibit with – and why
I would be honoured to exhibit alongside South African artist Yay Abe, as well as international artists Daniella Jones and Shaskia Cuaspa. I admire their modern styles, expressive figures and bold use of colour. Their individuality is present in all their work. I think their approach resonates strongly with my own artistic practice.
How did you get started? Did you always want to be an artist?
I always had the talent to create but my passion only sparked at university when I went to study journalism. I minored in art and that’s when I realized I wasn’t so much into journalism and rather focused most of my energy on my art, leaving my other modules to the back of my mind. Since then I left university and decided to pursue my career as an artist.
What are some of the key themes you explore in your work?
In my work, I explore themes of self-identity, and individuality, often through stylised or distorted fi gures. I am drawn to editorial and fashion-inspired expression, using bold, earthy colours to convey emotion and mood. My practice celebrates confi dence, feminism, and the connection between inner experience and visual form.
What should people know about your art that they can’t tell from looking at it?
What might not be seen in my work is that every piece comes entirely from within me—it’s shaped by my interests and self identity. My art is an exploration of womanhood as I understand and experience it.
I create with the intention of expressing myself. Maybe its my way of trying to be seen and understood—it’s a visual language through which I try to communicate who I am and the complexities of being a woman. I’m drawn to things that are beautiful but interesting and I aim to capture that balance in my work.
What are the most essential items in your studio and why?
The most random things that people tend to throw away, I always try re-use them as some kind of tool. For example jars or containers and pieces of fabric I tend to use as a rag for my paint.
Tell us more about your creative process.
Usually an idea for a composition or concept will pop up in my head, most of the time it’s at 2am when I’m trying to sleep. I’ll then start looking through editorial photography to help visualise the direction I want to take. When I find images that align with my vision, I begin immediately—working loosely and impulsively. I distort and exaggerate fi gures, letting intuition guide the composition. After those initial marks the process becomes more intentional. I’ll rework and refi ne the piece until everything feels balanced.
Do you believe an artist should use their platform to influence society? Why?
Yes, of course. Art communicates in ways words often can’t. It naturally makes you think and feel, so why not direct it toward something purposeful? But it doesn’t always need a profound meaning—sometimes it simply exists, and its impact comes from how it’s interpreted. Even by existing, art infl uences us, evoking human emotion and identity. I believe art isn’t essential for survival, but it gives us a reason to want to live.
Do you have a favourite or most meaningful work?
I’d say ‘Melded’ is my most meaningful artwork, a lot of intention and detail went into that piece.
What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
I think my greatest achievement would be fi nding my niche and a style that really embodies me as an artist.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I aspire to continue creating and to build a life and career that I’m fully immersed in. I hope my art grows more impactful with each piece I make, reflecting my evolving vision and voice. Ultimately, I want to take my work as far as possible, exploring new creative directions and reaching audiences across different places, pushing both my artistic boundaries and my own sense of possibility.
