Portrait Lemn Sissay, Portrait Artist of the Year 2020 Finals Print

I am a figurative oil painter with work in collections throughout South Africa as well as in Chile, Germany and the United Kingdom. I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa - where I Completed a Fine Art Honours Degree and have been painting professionally since 1999 after many years working as a cabinet maker, running my own design and manufacturing business. ​ After three successful solo shows and regular participation in group shows, competitions and art events, I moved to the United Kingdom with My family in 2009. I have taken part in various group shows in Berkshire while creating a body of work for my first solo show in England. In 2016 I was chosen to participate in Sky Portrait Artist of the Year, which aired in spring 2017 on Sky Arts. I entered again in 2019 and went quite a bit further than the first heat - this will air in 2020 on Sky and Channel 4. I continue to exhibit in Open Studio/Arts Trail events and groups, and although these events are wonderful in terms of local exposure and a valuable and encouraging way to engage with the public about my painting, I am hoping to be accepted into an appropriate gallery with a wider audience.