Ann Gadd has been a writer and artist since she learned to scrawl her first image in crayon across her bedroom wall. (An event her parents found to be less auspicious.) In 1997, she won the award for best acrylic artist at the South African Society of Artists annual event, which introduced her to galleries and convinced her to pursue her artistic career.

Ann Gadd’s portfolio demonstrates a profound understanding of visual dialogue, rooted in the interplay between cultural symbolism and contemporary street art aesthetics. The strength of her work lies in the vibrant collision of these seemingly disparate worlds, evoking a sense of historical continuity while engaging with modern artistic sensibilities. The use of African wildlife, specifically animals iconic to her native South Africa, anchors her work in a deep cultural context, while the graffiti-inspired marks push the narrative into the realm of the urban and the immediate. This dialogue between the playful and the profound is a hallmark of her portfolio, imbuing it with a sense of energy and immediacy. It recalls Basquiat’s ability to navigate complex narratives using the language of graffiti while at the same time echoing William Kentridge’s ongoing engagement with South African history and identity.

Eugenia Durandy, Art Advisor, Paris and Normandy.

General

Ann is an established contemporary African artist and photographer with a career spanning 30+ years having had numerous exhibitions both locally and abroad. She has a passion for the bush and wildlife and enjoys converting her experiences onto canvas. As a result, she has traveled widely in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Ann Gadd lives and works in Cape Town South Africa. She is dedicated to creating a lasting contribution to a more inspired and aesthetic world. Her distinctive and uniquely African, wildlife graffiti art tells wonderful stories of the land she loves. In this, her latest series, contemporary Street Art style combines with ancient African rock art to cohere the past and present forms of expression.

She is also an established author of 42 books with 19 translations. They are mostly non-fiction works. She is also a journalist and photo-journalist for a number of publications including Country Life magazine.

Most notable exhibitions were at the:

Most notably at the:

• Florence Biennale,
• Belfast,
• New Zealand,
• England (Brick Lane Gallery, London and Art @ Five, Brighton),
• Glasgow Art Fair,
• Edinburgh Art Fair,
• The Cape Gallery,
• Benguela Gallery, Hermanus,
• The African Gallery, The Hague, NE (since closed)

Her first solo exhibition was at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town.

Series:

Her series include:

• Palindromes and Popular Icons
• The sheep ewe/you series
• Zulu Lulu
• Going to the Dogs
• Wildlife

She has become most known for her “sheep” or “ewe” series of paintings. 

You’re also welcome to contact me to view work at my studio by appointment so you can chat about what you’re looking for. Commissions usually take on average three to six weeks. If you’d like to discuss a project, that would be great, or add suggestions for the website, fill in the form below. If you want to commission a painting let me have an idea of the size and colors preferred, and I’ll let you have pricing, delivery date, and shipping costs. Note: Rolled paintings are cheaper to ship.