Shining the spotlight on five local female artists

Earlier this month, South African artist Joni Leigh was announced as the winner of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year 2022. The competition racked in 1,654 entries of artwork, from 850 different artists across 55 countries worldwide. Joni’s artwork was sold within minutes after the event had opened. 

As quoted on GoodThingsGuy, Joni says: “I am pleased to announce that after entering the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year competition for three years running and making finalist every year, last night I won the coveted title of Wildlife Artist of the Year 2022 in the category ‘Facing Extinction’ with my 80cm x 60cm oil painting ‘Anyone Out There’?”

Joni makes her mission clear. To educate and inform about the over-exploitation of wildlife animals, and to raise funds for those at the forefront, fighting to keep our wildlife safe. 

“Climate change is not the only threat to polar bears. Despite campaigns to get the Norwegian Government to sign on to support an international ban on the commercial trade of polar bears, as well as attempts to get WWF to end their support of the trophy hunting and trade in polar bear body parts, little success has been made so far, and the world is turning a blind eye.”

In celebration of Joni, we’re shining the spotlight on four other inspiring local female artists who each have a unique, positive and empowering voice in the South African art realm. 

Rose-Marie Burger

Rose lives on a remote farm with her family in the Northern Cape. Rose makes art that celebrates the female form, incorporating her style of using bold line work. In 2019, Rose began dabbling in sustainable methods of making art by making her own paper, made from denim offcuts.

 

Micke Buitendag

Micke Buitendag is an emerging artist from Cape Town, South Africa, who taught herself the beauty of creating art. Her style is expansive and diverse,  flowing with her innate creative abilities.

 

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Micke’s work has recently been featured at a pop-up exhibition celebrating Women, at the V&A’s Waterfront. 

Amy Ayanda

Amy Ayanda Lester is an artist and musician based in Cape Town.

Her vibrant paintings and prints draw inspiration from the local landscape, its flora and colours. Images of proteas, fynbos and the familiar silhouette of Table Mountain recur in both her illustrative work and her more impressionistic canvas pieces.

Nardstar

Nardstar is a street artist based in Cape Town.

In her urban art, Nardstar expresses a unique sense of geometry. She makes use of bold lines and distinct colour palettes, vibrantly depicting and embracing the beauty of women of colour in South Africa, and the innate beauty of Cape Town’s local flora and fauna.

 

 

ALSO SEE: 

Must-see art exhibition pop-up – Celebrating Women at the V&A

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