Cape Stag Beetle

This body of work looks at how wildlife is represented today, in a time where the natural world is no longer separate from human influence. While traditional wildlife art focused on documenting species through close observation, these pieces reflect a different reality where animals exist within systems that often threaten their survival. Each work centres on a specific species and the pressures it faces. The Cape stag beetle is connected to the fragility of the fynbos, the forest redfin to the impact of forestry, and the ground pangolin to poaching and electric fencing. Instead of placing these animals in untouched environments, I’ve brought in the elements that directly affect them, making those relationships impossible to ignore. There are a few symbols that run across all three pieces.

The star is something I use to suggest that these animals, no matter how small or overlooked, should guide how we treat the planet. It’s a way of bringing in care and attention. The barcode, on the other hand, points to something more uncomfortable. It reflects how easily living things are reduced to value and profit. For me, these works sit somewhere between documentation and critique. I’m still interested in observing and representing these animals, but I also want to acknowledge the conditions they exist in and the role we play in shaping their future.