Artist Biography

Rhen Hanekom is a South African realist painter from Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Her formal art training began at the PJ Olivier Art Centre, where drawing and painting became an important means of creative expression. She later studied Fine Art at Boland College in Paarl under South African artist and architect Hannes van Zyl, graduating at the top of her class.

Rhen’s journey to becoming a full-time artist followed an unconventional path. Alongside her artistic training, she completed a degree in Management Accounting at Stellenbosch University and spent 15 years working as a financial manager. Throughout this period she continued to paint, predominantly in acrylics, maintaining the creative practice that had always remained an important part of her life.

In 2017 and 2018, Rhen attended workshops with internationally acclaimed artist René Snyman, where she developed a particular affinity for oil painting. Her growing commitment to her art ultimately led her to leave her career in finance in 2019 and dedicate herself fully to painting. Today, she works primarily in oil on canvas from her home studio in Melkbosstrand.

Light lies at the heart of Rhen’s work. Working in a realistic style, she carefully observes the relationship between colour, form and tonal value, using these elements to capture not simply the appearance of her subject, but the atmosphere surrounding it. Whether painting a figure, landscape or still life, she searches for the particular quality of light that gives a moment its character.

Her inspiration is found in the world around her: a dramatic sunset, a stormy sea, light reflected from an everyday object or the expression on a child’s face. These seemingly ordinary moments become opportunities for close observation and discovery, allowing her to transform familiar subjects into paintings that carry mood, presence and a sense of life.

For Rhen, realism is therefore much more than faithfully reproducing what she sees. Each painting is an exploration of the relationship between subject, paint and moment. Through careful observation and a sensitive understanding of light and colour, she seeks to capture the essence of an experience and create work that invites the viewer to rediscover the beauty present in everyday life.

Artist Statement

Like most people, I struggle with my inner critic, but I find an indescribable satisfaction in the act of creating a painting. I spend a great deal of time with each canvas, searching for the right expression of light and enjoying that journey of discovery almost as much as the finished work.

For me, painting is not simply about reproducing what I see. A technically accurate painting can still feel flat or lifeless. There needs to be an element of exploration and invention - something that brings mood, atmosphere and ultimately life to the work.

I find inspiration every day in people, objects and fleeting moments: a beautiful sunset, a stormy sea, a glint of light reflected from a kettle or simply the smile on a child’s face. Painting encourages me to observe these moments more carefully and to become more aware of the world around me.

Working realistically, I continually explore the relationships between colour, form and tonal value. Careful observation is fundamental to my process. I like to think of it as: observe carefully, mix twice, paint once. Through this process, I search for an alchemy between the paint, the subject and the moment.

Ultimately, I aim to capture the essence of what is in front of me rather than simply its appearance. A painting is complete when it carries the atmosphere and life I was searching for - and when I would be happy to hang it on my own wall.

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