HERMANUS – Artist Lize van der Walt developed a love for art at a very young age. “My grandmother noted that I could draw beautifully when I was only 6 years old,” she says.
Born in Wynberg, Cape Town in 1965, Van der Walt was raised by parents who were both teachers. Her mother, Wilna Snyman Smit, rose to fame after changing careers and becoming an actress. “She ultimately became a doyenne of theatre in South Africa, and she is also known for her role as Madel Terblanche in the soapie 7de Laan.”
After school Van der Walt studied graphic design at Witwaterstrand Technikon, where she obtained a national diploma in 1986. She was married that year and emigrated to the UK a few years later.
There she worked as a fitness instructor and trainer, and also did two years of the London Weekend Television show Gladiators as gladiator “Gold”.
After 12 years abroad Van der Walt returned to South Africa with the determination and drive to put all her focus into her passion, painting.
From there, her work grew, and in 2004 she had an opportunity to exhibit at the Jozua Rossouw Art Gallery in Hermanus, and worked with the gallery owner until 2011, and four years later she opened an art gallery with other local artists in 2015.
Another opportunity presented itself in 2018, a chance for her to open her own gallery.
Van der Walt explains she first started producing her own style of art, which was very abstract and linear, influenced by her graphic design background.
She said: “As I grew I explored other forms, including painting seascapes of Hermanus and spiritual paintings, which I call soulscapes. My seascapes are very popular and in demand, and I have created a niche for myself here.”
Van der Walt describes her soulscapes as journeys depicted on canvas. “I am a believer, and I paint God’s grace and light in my work. Or let me rather rephrase, I try to reflect it on my canvas.”
She is currently working on new pieces for an exhibit in October. She is also making a coffee table book of her work and story.
Van der Walt believes that with every art piece she paints, she wants the viewer to leave with a sense of peace and upliftment. “The art must talk to your soul,” she says.
