A bit about me..
For over 30 years, I have been immersed in the world of South African fine art. Growing up in Namibia, my passion for creativity was sparked by painting alongside my grandmother, Zizi, who was the wife of the renowned poet DJ Opperman. After studying fine art at Pretoria Technikon, I began building my career by capturing the spirit of the South African landscape—particularly the evocative Karoo Landscapes, Karoo Madonnas, and intricate still lifes that have become my signature.
As a single mother raising two sons, my personal journey has profoundly shaped my art. The feminist themes in my Karoo Madonna series and still lifes reflect the strength, resilience, and quiet power of women. My own experiences of motherhood and the challenges of being a single parent are deeply woven into these works, celebrating womanhood in its many forms.
The vast, arid landscapes of the Klein Karoo, where I lived for 15 years, became a major source of inspiration for me. The open plains, rugged mountains, old Karoo houses, windmills, and serene stillness of the night skies infused my art with a deep sense of place, capturing the beauty of solitude and the harshness of the desert.
In 2011, I faced immense personal tragedy when I lost my eldest son in a car accident. This heartbreak reshaped my artistic expression, bringing more emotional depth and raw intensity to my work. My art became more unfiltered as I channeled my grief into powerful creations. It was a time when I stopped conforming to the commercial art world and embraced a more vulnerable, authentic approach to my craft.
Now, I am exploring the contemporary art scene with bold abstraction, vibrant color palettes, and multimedia materials. Though my work has evolved, my connection to the Karoo remains constant. Living in Cape Town, I continue to draw inspiration from the vast open spaces and the quiet beauty of the Karoo while pushing the boundaries of my artistry.
My work, deeply personal and rich with feminist themes, resonates with those who experience it, offering both a reflection of the landscapes that shaped me and a window into my emotional journey as an artist and a woman.