I’m Joni-Leigh, a South African artist working primarily in oils, inspired by my deep appreciation for nature and other animals.

My work on this theme has been widely sold both locally and internationally, and has won awards, most notably as winner in the Facing Extinction category of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition in association with BBC Wildlife in September 2022. Currently I have two paintings as finalists in the 2025 DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, and a portrait in the top 100 of South Africa’s prestigious Rust en Vrede (formerly Sanlam) Portrait Award.

Art is the primary language I’ve chosen to articulate the interface between the human and non-human environment, and to blur the line that divides human hegemony with other animals and the natural world. My hope is to inspire the viewer to appreciate, connect and interconnect our natural spaces and the fauna and flora we share this beautiful planet with.

Wherever possible, I use my voice as a painter to raise awareness that humans need other animals and natural spaces as much as they need our respect and protection. Whether leaning towards abstract or representational painting, I maintain a strong interest in exploring these relationships and our collective dependence on them.

What inspires me most is to create work that emphasises this critical blurring of the line, and the importance of nature in our collective psyche, well-being and survival.

Through my paintings and drawings I aim to articulate that which, for me, is impossible to convey through any other means.

I consider it a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to create commissioned pieces for those who resonate with my work. If my art speaks to you and you’d like to have something special created for yourself or a loved one, I would love to hear from you. Click here to request a commissions price list.

PAST EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS & FEATURES & AWARDS

August 2025: Rust en Vrede Portrait Award Top 100

July 2025: DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2025 Finalist.

13 June: Group Exhibition “Steadfast Steed” curated by Lauren and Gustav Vink at the Trent Gallery, Pretoria.

May 2025: Group Exhibition with the New Artist Collective at Cloud Cafe, De Waterkant, WC.

April 2024 - May 2025: Opening and running of the Joni-Leigh Doran Studio Gallery in McGregor, WC.

7 October - 29 October 2023: Group exhibition “Coalescence” at La Galleria, McGregor, WC

4 September - 13 October 2023: Portrait 100 Exhibition at Spier Arts Trust Union House Exhibition Space in Cape Town CBD

19th - 30th July 2023: International Group Exhibition “Contemporary Painting” at The Brick Lane Gallery, Central London.

September 2022: Winner in the “Facing Extinction” category of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition in association with BBC Wildlife.

Jan - Feb 2022: Solo Exhibition “Cognisance; an Exhibition of Equine Paintings” at La Galleria McGregor

September 2020: David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Featured Artist of the Month.

August 2020: South African Artist Magazine - cover and 6 page feature.

June 2020: David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020 Finalist

November 2019: Featured in Saatchi Collection "New This Week 2-11-2019"

Feb 2019 - May 2019: Solo Exhibition at De Wetshof Wine Estate in Robertson, South Africa.

April 2017 - September 2017: participated in regular monthly group exhibitions Goldsmith's Gallery / Loop St, Cape Town.

April 2017 - June 2017: "WINGS" group exhibition at Ibis Gallery in Montagu, South Africa.

October 2016: Familiar Faces: An Exhibition of Portraits, group exhibition at Montagu Museum / Montagu, South Africa.

September 2016: AGOG Gallery Group exhibition "REVERIE" / Johannesburg, South Africa.

February 2016: Singapore / collaborative exhibition with poet Julieta Timane.

Press

NGO’s and Non Profits proudly supported by
Joni-Leigh through painting sales: