Ruan Jooste – Born in 1988 in Nigel, a small town southeast of Johannesburg, I have always been drawn to creative expression. My journey began with an early interest in fashion design, but it was photography that first allowed me to explore storytelling through imagery. Teaching myself the necessary skills, I developed an eye for composition, detail, and light—elements that continue to shape my work today. Over time, photography and design merged seamlessly into my digital art practice, where I craft each piece with meticulous care, building layers of complexity and depth.

My experiences living in cities such as Pretoria, Toronto, Johannesburg, Phuket, and now Cape Town have profoundly influenced my perspective. These diverse environments have reinforced a belief that, despite our perceived differences, we share more in common than we often acknowledge. My work seeks to reflect this interconnectedness, capturing the resilience, strength, and quiet beauty found in everyday moments.

In 2021, I held my first solo exhibition in Cape Town, which was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Since then, my work has been featured on the covers of Sunday Times Lifestyle and Art Times, as well as in House & Leisure, Dossier Magazine, and other publications. It has been exhibited in Paris at the AKAA Art Fair, as well as in New York and Austria, reaching collectors and audiences from around the world.

At the heart of my practice is a commitment to digital painting—a labor-intensive, deeply personal process that unfolds stroke by stroke. Using a Wacom drawing tablet and pen, I construct each piece in Photoshop with careful attention to detail, ensuring that every element is intentional. This method demands patience, often taking weeks or months to complete, as each brushstroke is placed with precision. Without the use of art filters or AI, the work remains rooted in craftsmanship, allowing for a tactile, immersive experience.

More than just a visual narrative, my work is a reflection of resilience, balance, and the shared human experience. Through each piece, I seek to capture both the struggles and the beauty that shape us, offering a moment of recognition, connection, and contemplation.