From Order to Origin
For a long time, my world was built on the precision of law and the structured logic of corporate governance. When I moved with my family from South Africa to the landscapes of British Columbia in 2021, I thought I was simply changing my address. I didn’t realize I was moving toward a profound internal shift, a journey from the rigid lines of the head to the fluid language of the heart.
Art arrived as a gift, quite literally. In late 2022, a set of acrylics gifted to me became the key to a world I hadn't yet explored. What started as a curious exploration soon became a necessity. The structured world I once knew began to dissolve, replaced by the transformative power of art. It felt less like learning a skill and more like a return to a version of myself I had finally found the time to meet.
In 2023, the sudden loss of my father changed the weight of my brush. In a time of grief, the canvas became my sanctuary and a place where I found the hope of solace. This experience solidified my commitment to the work and I realized that painting is how I navigate the world.
The Work
I work primarily in acrylics, guided by a desire to merge the discipline of realism with deeper, conceptual questions. While I have long been drawn to the themes of freedom and resilience found in birds, my newer work is now moving toward Allegorical Realism. Through animal subjects, I am exploring the friction between our natural instincts and the pressures of modern human abundance.
My paintings are an invitation for you to pause, to reflect on where we end and the natural world begins.
Recognition
Though my path to the canvas was unconventional, it is driven by a deep dedication to the craft. I am honoured that my self-taught practice has been recognized in competitive juried exhibitions, calling for artists from across British Columbia and Canada.
Today, I live and work in British Columbia, where I continue to push the boundaries of my practice, one piece at a time.
Navigating the Collection
Within The Collection, you will find a curated selection of my work. As you move through the gallery, I invite you to click on each image to reveal its narrative and a dedicated poem, capturing the deeper moments behind the piece.