Flirting with Colour at Lion Sands

Artist Helen van Stolk explores her artwork further as she draws inspiration from the nature around her.

Helen van Stolk traded her StudioVOOP premises in Salt River in Cape Town, for some creative time at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge on our Artist Residency. Her infectious joy has enthralled our guests who have had the opportunity chat to Helen and hear more about her creative process.

“When I touched down at Skukuza on the 4th of March for my five-week residency, I was met by Field Guide Cruz. The warmth of the 38-degree day doesn’t match the exceptional warmth of the staff at Lion Sands - hospitality and genuine kindness at its best. The studio and gallery space that I have been gifted for this time at Ivory Lodge is my new haven,” says Helen.

“I am privileged to see the inner workings of a five-star game lodge and to immersive myself in my creative practice surrounded by such beauty and magnificence. Breathtaking moments on game drives and the lodge overlooking the Sabie River will be etched in my mind forever.

Words, stories, and how something feels have always played a big part in my work. Here at Lions Sands experiences are amplified - partly because of the quiet times which allow me to absorb the beauty and let it all sink in, and partly because of the stories the field guides, trackers and staff share with such generosity.

We’ve seen so many elephants whilst here and I couldn’t resist looking up the symbolism. Ultimately, the elephant is a spirit animal that brings you strength, wisdom, stability, and love. Its presence in your life means that you are a person of power, capable of meeting any challenge that comes your way. But he’s also a constant reminder to be kind, compassionate and respectful to others. I just love that.

There have been some beautifully meaningful interactions with guests, chatting colour, nature’s design and the inspirations that make us go wow! Special moments when guests have become lost in my work or shared what they see or feel - that engagement is priceless. One guest came in tired and said she left feeling inspired and energised. Another guest contacted me when she got back to the States to say that I have inspired her to paint again. This all makes my heart sing.

An engaging young guest, Kelsey, posed a thought-provoking question to me, asking what the biggest change in my work has been since arriving at Lion Sands? I have been pondering this…How my handwriting doesn’t change much as I move through life, but my story does – it evolves, it gets richer, it becomes more layered - with time, with experiences, that weave their way into my work, that weave their way into my being, that I strive to share in my paintings.

With time spent here, my sensory experience of the world and the stories that I am filled with is amplified intensely relative to a more familiar life at home. The magic of the bush, its textures, nature’s perfect design inspires. That is the gift, the treasures that I have received in abundance on this residency.”

“I am working on some big works, so still a work in progress but getting closer to the completion of three. The inspiration - thoughts of the amazing trackers whose lives are so intricately connected to the soil, as well as a majestic leopard sighting, the birds and the small creatures that gift us with such vibrant colour. I am one lucky artist on one wonderful adventure! Thank you, Lion Sands.”

Helen created a limited print edition of scarves based on her artwork, especially for her time with us.

Helen’s journey has been a dynamic one, marked by various collaborations and accolades. Prior to StudioVOOP, she honed her craft at Frere Street Studios and Eastside Studios, sharing spaces with fellow artists like Lesley Charnock and Margie Johnson. In 2010, Helen became a member of the South African Society of Artists, marking the beginning of her participation in prestigious exhibitions at Kirstenbosch and earning accolades, including multiple awards in 2010 and 2011. Notably, in 2011, she achieved the highest overall score ever awarded at the society's Annual Exhibition. Her talent further garnered attention when she was invited to exhibit at the prestigious SASA Merit exhibition in 2012. Throughout the years, Helen continued to flourish, and her first solo exhibition titled "The Gold that Binds Us" was hosted at Cape Gallery in 2017 with subsequent exhibitions at Art in the Yard, Franschhoek.

Her dedication to her craft is evident as she continues to explore her preferred medium of oils, seamlessly blending abstraction and figurative elements. Inspired by the vibrant scenes of her surroundings and her travels, Helen's art has found homes worldwide. Alongside her studio work, she occasionally indulges in plein-air painting and sketching, drawing inspiration from the captivating characters and moments she encounters. Helen's art is represented in esteemed galleries such as Cape Gallery, AiTY in Franschhoek with her exhibition Full of Flirt in 2023, and StateoftheART in Cape Town, cementing her place in the contemporary art scene.

You can see more of Helen’s work on her website here.

Artists on the MORE Family Collection Artist Residency are arranged in partnership with 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.