Fynbos Vase with Red Watsonias and Pincushions

Hermien van der Merwe

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Hermien van der Merwe finds profound fascination in the indigenous Cape Fynbos plants. Living on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, she is surrounded by the natural splendour that continually inspires her work. Her walks along the mountain paths of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve are immersive, sensory experiences, opportunities to absorb the beauty and rhythm of the natural world. As the seasons shift, Hermien van der Merwe observes the emergence of buds, the unfolding of flowers, and the formation of seeds. She breathes in the scent of the foliage, feels the mountain air against her skin, and pauses to appreciate the textures of leaves and cones. These quiet, contemplative moments feed her creative process. For Hermien van der Merwe, these walks are more than physical journeys; they are holistic explorations of sight, touch, and scent, grounded in a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual realms. She views nature as divine creation and seeks to honour that through her art. Her work explores the impact of natural forces — fire, rain, wind, and drought — on the indigenous Fynbos of the Cape. In her studio, she translates the energy of the landscape into oil paint. Colour and form flow freely onto the canvas, guided by intuition and memory rather than direct reference. She allows Fynbos to bloom in all its richness, transcending seasons and capturing imagined moments rooted in lived experience. In recent years, she has embraced a larger scale, creating expansive Fynbos landscapes designed for immersive environments. In 2025, Hermien van der Merwe initiated the project Art on the Mountain, a unique artistic undertaking on Table Mountain. Over a period of two months, she created work on-site while inviting more than 40 artists to join her for individual days of shared creativity, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and a deepened connection to the landscape. In 2021, one of Hermien van der Merwe’s paintings was selected as a backdrop for the Table Mountain Cable Car station, an artistic tribute to the enduring beauty of Cape Fynbos. Since then, several of her works have been featured as large-scale wall pieces in both the upper and lower cable stations. Hermien van der Merwe studied art teaching at the University of Stellenbosch and has worked as a fulltime artist for the past two decades. Beyond creating art, she is committed to raising awareness of the Fynbos biome and advocating for its preservation. She envisions it as a living, adaptable ecosystem—one that she honours and immortalises through her work. Hermien van der Merwe is a regular participant in The Travelling Art Gallery and is represented in Cape Town by The Artists Gallery.

Maureen Visagé - Ceramic Sculptures

[rve src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0oJ2zRkWntk?si=QqVTPyQh8gRJGxk3" ratio="16by9"] Maureen Visagé is a South African artist based in Cape Town, known for her vibrant, whimsical ceramic and bronze figurines that celebrate love, joy, feminine strength, and the beauty of everyday life. With bold strokes and bright colours, her work is rich in character, emotion, and storytelling—each piece a unique expression of her boundless imagination. Maureen's artistic journey began in childhood and was nurtured at the Pretoria Art Music and Ballet School (Pro Arté), where she excelled in painting, puppetry, and sculpture. Alongside her creative pursuits, she developed a keen interest in mathematics, ultimately leading her to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town. Though her career initially led her to London as a qualified actuary, her passion for art never waned. In 2011, Maureen made the life-changing decision to devote herself fully to her art. Returning to South Africa, she joined a ceramic studio and immersed herself in the medium of clay, building a distinctive body of work that reflects her playful yet profound artistic voice. In 2018, she expanded into bronze, creating limited editions of her beloved figurines, adding depth and permanence to her sculptural repertoire. Inspired by the nuances of daily life, her work combines quiet contemplation with humour and nostalgia. She often draws from fairy tales, religious imagery, and mythical themes, blending them into compositions that echo traditional European porcelain figurines with a distinctly hand-crafted, African twist. This fusion results in art that is both familiar and fantastical, inviting viewers into a layered world of emotion and interpretation. Since 2019, Maureen has been a core member of The Travelling Art Gallery, and her work is extensively featured at The Artists Gallery in Cape Town. Her sculptures are a testament to her artistic vision and technical skill, each piece infused with heart, imagination, and an unmistakable sense of joy.