Paula Wiegmink

Paula Wiegmink is a multi-award-winning artist and dedicated conservation advocate whose work bridges the gap between the natural world and fine art.
Born in Zimbabwe and now based in the coastal town of Dunsborough, Western Australia, Wiegmink’s artistic foundation was laid during a childhood spent on an African farm. Her early years were defined by hours spent observing wildlife from the rafters of animal enclosures—a deep-seated curiosity that remains the heartbeat of her work today.
Before fully committing to the visual arts, Wiegmink enjoyed a distinguished 25-year career in classical ballet. A former dancer with the Rhodesian National Ballet, she became a respected RAD teacher and adjudicator across South Africa and Botswana. This discipline and sense of movement eventually transitioned from the stage to the canvas when she relocated to Australia in 1994.
Under the mentorship of the late Carl Sdoya, she mastered oil painting and palette knife techniques, later serving as President of the Alfred Cove Art Society, Perth, Western Australia.
Wiegmink is perhaps best known for her "Tears of the Rhino," a painting that has become a global symbol for endangered species. The work served as the emblem for the ‘SAY NO’ awareness camp...

Roosevelt High School, Salisbury, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
Advanced teachers diploma ARAD (Royal Academy of Dancing)

2025 - Christmas Exhibition, Studio Gallery, Yallingup, Western Australia
2024 - Silent Skies Mural - Customs House Museum & Cultural Centre, Clarksville, Tennessee, USA
2024 - Finalist Art Extraordinaire, Banbury College, Western Australia
2024 - Artist in Residence Studio gallery, Yallingup, Western Australia
2023 - Finalist Jury Art Prize, Port Hedland, Western Australia
2023 - Featured Exhibition at The Studio Gallery, Yallingup, WA
2022 - Featured Artist, Studio Gallery, Yallingup, Western Australia
2022 - Selected for Artists for Conservation - ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’, Vancouver, BC
2021 - Finalist Jury Art Prize, Port Hedland, Western Australia, image projected onto the digital tower, Yagan Square, Perth.
2021 - Selected - Artists for Conservation - ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’, Vancouver, BC
2021 - Finalist Minnawarra Art Awards Perth,WA (Two paintings)
2021 - Vasse Art Award, Vasse, WA
2020 - Selected - Artists for Conservation - ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’, Vancouver, BC
2020 - Selected -Touring exhibition of 'Silent Skies Mural' to Missouri, USA
2020 - Finalist - South Western Times Art, Bunbury, Western Australia
2019 - Selected - David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year ...