Riaan van Zyl

Riaan van Zyl, born in 1976, continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art by merging classical techniques with innovative concepts. After studying Contemporary Fine Arts at UNISA, he earned his bachelor's degree in 2000, marking the beginning of his professional career. Since then, Riaan van Zyl has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has showcased his work in galleries around the world.

“The faster we move, the less we see the details. We are missing the basics,” says Riaan van Zyl. This philosophy lies at the heart of his artistic approach. Van Zyl hurls and pours old car oil, effectively slowing down time and capturing it through a mix of charcoal and paint on various surfaces. His static images seem to vibrate with movement, inviting viewers to pause and absorb the intricacies within.

Drawing inspiration from ordinary surroundings, Riaan van Zyl continuously explores and deepens his understanding of everyday moments. He deconstructs commonplace ideas and reimagines them through experimental media such as used oil, anthracite, and cobalt salts. With a discerning eye and a curious mind, Riaan van Zyl dissects movement and reconstructs its context and significance. His work is diacritical—at first abstract and enigmatic, yet revealing a distinctive syntax, punctuation, and rhythm upon closer examination. Each piece becomes a visual performance of movement rather than a conventional drawing.

Riaan van Zyl challenges viewers to see the familiar through a different lens. His work invites the eye to slow down, capturing motion in the same way a film played in slow motion reveals hidden layers. The result is a personal and structured composition that punctuates movement in unexpected ways. Much like his creative process, Riaan van Zyl’s journey as an artist has been defined by relentless experimentation and the pursuit of a truly unique and expressive style.

Currently, Riaan van Zyl is exploring the concept of interactivity through expressive cooperation and kinetic elements. He is testing new ways to traverse and transcend the boundaries of contemporary art, embracing the possibilities offered by unconventional materials.

Riaan van Zyl exhibits both internationally and in his home country of South Africa. His work is included in prestigious private and public collections worldwide. In addition to participating in various group exhibitions with The Travelling Art Gallery, Riaan van Zyl held a solo exhibition in 2022 in Munich, Germany. Most recently, in February 2025, he presented a solo exhibition at FOMO Fine Art Gallery in Pringle Bay.

Riaan van Zyl is a passionate artist—a true alchemist in the realm of visual expression. In Cape Town, his work is exhibited at The Artists Gallery.