Art Piece: “Boy of Manica”
A Balance of Survival and Hope
Michelle Oosthuizen is a talented artist whose work is deeply influenced by the human experience and the world around her. She holds a B.Arch from the University of Pretoria and is passionate about art, nature and good architecture.
Michelle is particularly moved by the stories of children who face adversity and hardship. Her paintings often explore themes of resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. The inspiration for “The Boy of Manica” came from a photograph taken by a friend who works daily within the harsh realities of the African mining industry. The image of a young boy working in a gold mine, with a look of determination and courage in his eyes, deeply touched Michelle. She wanted to portray his resilience and dignity in the face of such injustice and hardship.
Her works have been displayed at various exhibitions across South Africa, such as the Milkwood Gallery in Plettenberg Bay, the Art Alive Exhibition in Pretoria, the Simplicity Group Exhibition at the Bright Street Gallery and the Plett Art Festival, also at the Milkwood gallery.
View more of Michelle Oosthuizen’s world of art and explore her collection at behance.net .
