About The Artist

Artist Biography

“I am influenced by my environment and use the human figure as a vehicle through which I portray my concepts, emotions and thoughts”

Ilse works from her studio in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay in South Africa. Trained in art and fashion design, she decided to focus purely on art in 1998.

Her work has been purchased by South African companies and government institutions, as well as hotel groups for their entertainment areas.

She received a merit award at the centenary celebrations of her school where she matriculated in the Free State, for her contribution and international recognition in art.

She was commissioned to do a range of paintings on diamonds, including "Blood Diamonds", and the impact it has on our lives. The series includes a larger than life portrait of Nelson Mandela “Diamond behind bars”. This was done on a black background of metal filings, using an acid catalyst to engrave the image on the background.

She was one of the artists invited to depict the universal suffering of women and children in war, to commemorate the centenary of the Women's Memorial at the War Museum in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

She participated in the Florence Biennale in 2013 and her work was accepted again for the 2019 Florence Biennale for participation.

She has also exhibited at the Sala Bana Gallery in Barcelona in Spain and a group exhibition in Boston.

She participated in the "Star Sailor" exhibition at "The Viewing Room" in Brooklyn, Pretoria, commemorating the moon landing 50 years ago.

She has done many private commissions and one man exhibitions in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay.