Nicolene Swanepoel was a passionate artist with a profound love for animals – a dual devotion reflected in her academic and creative pursuits. She earned three degrees across these disciplines: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1983, a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1991, and an MTech in Fine Arts (specialising in ceramics) in 2008.

Her MTech research project, titled Representations of Cattle as Cultural Markers Towards South African Identities, explored the symbolic role of animals in shaping national identity.

Nicolene produced internationally acclaimed work in a wide range of media, including pastel, acrylic, and oil painting, silkscreen printing, and ceramics. In the later years of her life, she became best known for her sculptural ceramic pieces — works that not only revealed her deep affection for animals but also her nuanced understanding of their forms and behaviours.

Much of Nicolene’s work offers a subtle yet powerful commentary on the human use and exploitation of animals, as well as our often ‘inhumane’ treatment of both animals and one another.

Her contributions to the arts were widely recognised, earning her numerous awards in South Africa and internationally

Bio written by Joe de Villiers