Brushstrokes of the Wild at Lion Sands

South African artist Heidi Fourie explores new dimensions in her work during a transformative residency at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.

Heidi Fourie, a full-time artist and part-time lecturer, traded her familiar surroundings for the wild beauty of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. With a BA Fine Arts (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria and seven solo exhibitions under her belt, Heidi brings a wealth of experience to this unique residency.

Lion Sands is the third chapter of a series of residencies sponsored by The South African Foundation For Contemporary Art (SAFFCA). This follows six weeks at Witklipfontein in the Vredefort meteorite impact site and six weeks in the Garden Route.

“The first half of my residency period at Lion Sands has been awe-inspiring. From the curious creatures crawling out of bushes to charming conversations with people around the lodge, and witnessing the sense of community in the team, every day holds new surprises,” says Heidi.

At Lion Sands, she finds herself immersed in an environment that inspires her art.

“My work is led by an intuitive process of contemplation, observation and openness to organic processes of the natural world,” she explains. This approach has found fertile ground at Lion Sands, where the artist finds herself walking – and sometimes crawling – through natural environments that feed her visual vocabulary.

The impact of this immersion is evident in her evolving techniques. “The elephants’ traces on the golden dusty winter bush – stripped bark and chewed sticks – have become my perfect natural brushes,” Fourie reveals. “With ink and water, I’m capturing the essence of these materials, creating sweeping lines that dance across paper along with shadows on walls.”

The residency has provided Heidi with a range of inspiring experiences, both day and night. “The studio’s nighttime magic is enchanting,” she shares. “The fleeting shadows and haunting sounds of curious creatures have ignited a desire to evoke that feeling in my studio installation.”

But it's not just the nocturnal atmosphere that captivates the artist. Heidi finds equal inspiration in the daytime activities. “I love the game drives and morning walks through the camp, scanning the bushes for sparking eyes of curious creatures,” she explains.

This immersion in the rhythms of the bush, from the mystical nights to the adventure-filled days, has ignited a desire to recreate that sense of discovery and wonder in her gallery work.

With wild nature as her muse, Heidi’s time at Lion Sands has reinforced her belief in the critical importance of conservation. “I realize more and more how critical it is to preserve as much natural habitat for countless irreplaceable species as we possibly can,” she reflects, “even to welcome more wildness to our own neighbourhoods.”

This sentiment echoes through her work, as she strives to capture not just the visual beauty of the wilderness, but also its vital importance to our world.

The Artist Residency brings artists into a creative space where they can focus on their craft while connecting with an appreciative audience. A gallery/studio is situated within Ivory Lodge and becomes home for weeks at a time where artists, new and established, can draw unparalleled inspiration from their location and wildlife sightings to create new pieces, while also showcasing their work.

Artists on the MORE Family Collection Artist Residency are arranged in partnership with the Southern African Foundation For Contemporary Art (SAFFCA).

Contact morgan@lionsands.com should you be interested in purchasing any artwork from our featured artists at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.