From the Artist
“It has never been my intention to merely portray realistic interpretations of the wild, but rather to give the viewer a glimpse into the emotions of the animals that I paint, draw and sculpt.”
Born in 1952, I grew up on a Karoo farm in the arid Eastern Cape region of South Africa. I graduated from the East London Art School in 1974, where I studied under the well-known painter and sculptor, Jack Lugg. Upon completion of my studies, I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator. My career as a wildlife artist commenced in 1984. Since then I have participated in numerous local and international wildlife exhibitions. My first solo exhibition in 1987 was opened by the well-known South African conservationist, Clive Walker.
My wildlife paintings, drawings and bronze sculptures are found in private and corporate collections worldwide – Australia, Austria, Botswana, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Poland, Hawaii, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Zambia.
I have completed a wide range of commissions, including a life-size bronze sculpture of two running oryx for South African National Parks (SANParks). Today, this sculpture can be viewed at Twee Rivieren in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park between South Africa and Botswana. Sun International commissioned me to do bronze sculptures for three of their major international golf tournaments at Sun City, South Africa, as well as paintings of the Lost City at Sun City. Further afield, I completed bronze sculptures of the Big Five for Wyeth in Pennsylvania, USA, as well as a collection of paintings for Global Resorts in Botswana.
Stamp of Mahatma Gandhi designed by the artist
.
” To touch nature for just a moment, touches the soul forever”
Alan Ainslie 2014
In 1996, I was commissioned by the South African government to create the inside front cover and watermark design for the country’s passport. I have illustrated numerous stamp series, miniature sheets and first-day covers for India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. My stamp designs not only cover wildlife, but also architecture, culture, and portraits of international figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nobel laureates such as Nelson Mandela, Nadine Gordimer, Albert Luthuli and Desmond Tutu. My stamp series entitled “Animal Poaching Awareness” was released by Philatelic Services in South Africa in March 2015.
“To Touch Nature”
Hand-bound leather book 420 mm x 300 mm
The artist’s self-authored book about his work and travels.
100 numbered and signed limited editions.
R7 800
Exhibitions
- 1985: International Wildlife Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1987: First solo exhibition – Sanderling Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1987: International Raptor Exhibition, Israel
- 1987: Rhino and Elephant Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1990: Second solo exhibition – Sanderling Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1991: International Wildlife Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1992: International Wildlife Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1993: International Wildlife Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1993: International Wildlife Exhibition – Munich, Germany
- 1993: International Marine Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1995: International Wildlife Exhibition – Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
- 1999: International Wildlife Exhibition – Brisbane, Australia
- 2000: Solo exhibition – Silver Lakes Estate, Pretoria, SA
- 2004: SCI Convention – Reno, Nevada, USA
- 2005: Joint exhibition – Centurion Golf Estate, Pretoria, SA
- 2013: Joint exhibition – Art on Church Gallery, Stellenbosch
- 2013: Fyn Arts exhibition – Hornbill House Gallery, Hermanus
- 2014: Third solo exhibition – Art on Church Gallery, Stellenbosch
- 2015: Fourth solo exhibition – Art on Church Gallery, Stellenbosch
- 2016: Joint exhibition – Harbour Gallery, Cape Town Waterfront
- 2018: Fifth solo exhibition – Art on Church Gallery, Stellenbosch
- 2021: Exhibition at Art on Church Gallery, Stellenbosch
PUBLICATIONS FEATURING THE ARTIST
The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors
Grania Ogilvie, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, 1988
The Kill – Wildlife Encounters, Director’s Collection
The Director’s Collection Limited, Botswana, 1989
Africa’s Great Tuskers
Penguin Publishers, Johannesburg, 2012
To Touch Nature
Authored and published by Alan Ainslie