Colourful Art at Lion Sands

Our Artist Residency at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge has been very colourful with the creations of not one but two artists. Raja Oshi and Hussein Salim.

Raja Oshi – revealing colours…

Raja Oshi graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Art at the Sudanese University of Science and Technology in Khartoum in 1994. Her artistic journey has been marked by diaspora, as she and her family have traversed countries such as Norway, Wales, France, and Egypt. Eventually, in 2004, they settled in Pietermaritzburg, where Raja completed a postgraduate diploma in Fine Art from the Centre for Visual Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2006.

Raja's artwork is deeply rooted in her life experiences and the global events unfolding around her. In her earlier pieces, influenced by her time in Sudan, she captured the essence of Sudanese women's lives and the challenges they faced. Her works from that period convey the pain and the strong desire for change that moved her. However, her more recent creations mark a new chapter. Emerging both literally and figuratively from the desert, Raja seeks to explore different themes in her art. Through this artistic process, she aims to retreat from the realm of pain and discover joy and happiness, whilst exploring new dimensions of colour and texture in her paintings. As she finds her own signature, this body of work radiates a still-centeredness, and a vibrant visual record of this time in her life, drawing inspiration from the vibrant South African environment.

Hussein Salim – more from life…

Hussein Salim fled his homeland of Sudan due to the socio-political unrest and alongside millions of others, he sought refuge in countries such as the UK, Germany, Egypt, and South Africa. Through his art, characterized by vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and the impasto painting technique, Salim narrates his journey of displacement while celebrating the diverse and multicultural roots of his homeland.

Hussein initially received artistic training at the University of Khartoum, which he further supplemented with studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg. He earned a master's degree in art, and in 1994, he established an artist studio in Khartoum with the aim of critically engaging with the artistic heritage of his country and producing a new model of contemporary art.

Hussein’s quest is to capture the essence and significance of life's minutiae, both in their presence and absence. He explains, "My aim is to refresh the viewer's memory about shifting environments and their people, and to shed light on the often-overlooked details." He believes that people often fail to appreciate life's small wonders until they realise time is running out and they attempt to absorb the world in its entirety. Through his artwork, he seeks to educate viewers, guiding them to listen attentively and discern the subtle nuances within the grand painting that is life.

Hussein's ongoing journey has revealed his desire—for more. Not more of life itself, but more from life. Each day he awakens with a heightened sense of perception, striving to see deeper and comprehend the inner workings of his surroundings. This renewed passion and wonder inform his creative process. He hopes that viewers will derive as much joy from experiencing his creations as he did from crafting them.

Artists arranged by Nicola Bird, Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA)

The Artist Residency aims to bring 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.

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