Born to a South African artist and an African American musician, Leila Rose Fanner is a painter and illustrator based in Cape Town. Fanner depicts ‘the gentle, natural feminine presence, the spirit of Mother Nature or the essence of the Soul,’ as she states it. Through her artwork, Fanner tells a story about the soul’s journey within the material world, often referencing African flora and fauna, fabric patterns, and folklore.

Known for her large figurative and floral pieces — often using oil and oil pastel on wood and canvas — Fanner’s new artistic direction takes her to three-dimensional paintings, cut outs, collage, and even large fold-out art books. These different media act as manifestations of her evolution and reflections of her progressive female community.