About Gareth
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Where it all began…
Gareth’s close and authentic affinity with the natural world informs his Art. He was born and bred on a remote farm in Zimbabwe, so his early life was one of roaming the African bush, learning survival and the unique, sometime hostile ways of the untamed world. Gareth’s art grew out of his love for this harsh environment.
He formed a close relationship with the artist, Craig Bone as they shared a connection through bushcraft, painting and precise observation. Gareth’s education at St George’s College and a Fine Arts Degree at Rhodes University were a valuable prelude to the discovery of his great love of painting and capturing the essence of the African animal; from the Big Five to the humble dungbeetle.
Mediums & Technique
Gareth’s unique and exacting talent shines in his work. His passion lies in oil painting. This passion derives from the richness of hues that can be achieved from the medium, as well as the ability for Gareth to build layers and increased detail.
“This revered medium allows me to express the luminosity of my subjects more easily through the art of layering”
Gareth also loves pencil as a medium. The precision of the graphite allows him to express the deep contrasts and textures of his subjects. Gareth’s pencil works are a contemporary take on traditional wildlife sketches: he utilises white space to create unique compositions.
“Africa is a continent of diverse textures, and pencil allows me to express that essence.”
Passion for Conservation
As his career has progressed, Gareth has understood the need for a change in attitude towards the continent’s wildlife and its conservation. He has made generous donations of his pieces throughout the years in an attempt to support anti-poaching efforts and conservation throughout Zimbabwe.
At present, Gareth is the Artist in Residence at the world-renowned Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, on the border of Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. Gareth will donate a percentage of every painting sold from the Reserve Gallery to the Malilangwe Trust, which is a wholly Zimbabwean non-profit organisation that focuses on harmonising conservation activities, community development programs and ecotourism.
“I’m very fortunate to experience the bush as it is now. Our wildlife and its habitats are under threat and I can only hope that it is still around when my grandchildren are old enough to appreciate it.”
past
Exhibitions
MOST RECENT
Dallas Safari Club
Dallas, 2016 – 2019
Wildgeese Art Festival
Harare, 2014 – 2019
African Dreams II
Harare, 2016
African Dreams
Harare, 2015
New Visions
Harare, 2014
Wildlife Starts
Harare, 2013
Address
Currently working as resident
artist at Malilangwe Conservancy.