Tracing the Timeless with Trembling Hands at Lion Sands

For Belgian artist Aline Forçain, spending time in the wilderness was more than a simple retreat from routine. It was an encounter with raw instinct, wild and untamed beauty, and the fragile line between harmony and danger. Aline was invited to the Artist Residency at Lion Sands for her first-ever safari and visit to Africa. She arrived with a heart full of curiosity and a satchel of art supplies and left with a truly lasting impression: a tremor in the pencil line and a heightened awareness of presence.

Aline’s work includes drawing, painting, engraving, and photography. Through these, she explores the space between figuration (what is seen) and abstraction (what is sensed). Her art isn’t purely visual but engages multiple senses and invites the viewer into a more tactile and emotional connection with the subject.

From the breathtaking comfort of Lion Sands Narina Lodge, the quiet pace of the bushveld gave Aline the space to contemplate these themes through moments of soul-deep peace and startling proximity. “There were vervet monkeys who boldly claimed a stretch of walkway as their territory, and one afternoon a male elephant grazed just outside my window,” she reflects. “These interactions were utterly awe-inspiring, but they also reminded me of my vulnerability.”

Rooted in this space between serenity and suspense, Aline discovered her own creative response. Rather than simply painting what she saw in front of her, Aline leaned into the emotional charge of the wild. During her stay, Aline began a new piece of work called Indlovu, the Zulu word for elephant. These expressive drawings were marked by quivering lines, which created a sense of urgency. “I concentrate on the instinct for survival,” she says. “As I'm drawing the elephant's skin, I allow my hands to tremble. This captured the fear you feel when you're in direct contact with a wild animal.”

A key memory that lingers with Aline is not a single encounter, but a slow revelation. “In Europe, people tend to think of nature as an idealised place where people live in harmony with their environment,” says Aline. “But we forget that without any means of protection or shelter, we’re subjected to the dangers of nature or the toil that’s a part of it. From an intellectual point of view, my experience at Lion Sands has enriched my thinking about the relationship we have with our environment.”

Back in Belgium, Aline is preparing for a series of presentations and exhibitions that will include the work created during her residency. The textures of Lion Sands, like the warmth of sunlight on river stone, the twitching of a tree branch under bird flight, and the anticipation in the air when a predator calls, continued to ripple through her artistic expressions.

Aline holds a Master’s Degree in Art and Creation from the Complutense University of Madrid and has exhibited widely across Europe. She has completed residencies in Norway, South Africa, and Brussels, and her works have appeared in institutions including the Dominique Lang Art Centre and the Cercle Cité in Luxembourg. Her upcoming solo and duo exhibitions in Brussels will mark the next chapter in a career that continues to explore the edges of experience.

Asked what she would say to the next artist arriving at the Artist Residency, Aline’s advice is simple: “Make the most of every moment. Five weeks pass very quickly in such an exceptional place.”

Visit Aline’s website to explore her work and accomplishments further.

The Artist Residency brings artists – new and established – into a creative space where they can focus on their craft, while connecting with an appreciative audience. This space becomes their home for weeks at a time, where they 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.