Monika Muse

My name is Monika Muse. I am a South-African artist with German and Austrian heritage. I have been fascinated by the human experience for as long as I can remember. I have a background in psychology, and am currently journeying into coaching, and this journey has only deepened my profound interest in the intricacy, beauty and strength of the mind. My art is rooted in emotion, healing, resilience and transformation.

Much of my work is inspired by my own journey, finding back to my inner child, and the pure self-expression that happens when we tap into our intuition; as well as the many incredibly powerful stories of growth I’ve encountered through people, my studies and my favourite books.

Nature, and especially the ocean, is the other never-ending source of inspiration for me. I am drawn to the way nature calls us back to our authentic selves. It’s ability to gently strip away the roles and masks we often have to wear in daily life. The raw, untouchable power of nature is what I’m always chasing to capture.

I work mainly in acrylic on canvas, and I would describe my style as a blend of realism and the fantastical. My art is guided by the strong emotions of awe, longing, fear, hope, grief, realisation and deep love. Each painting I make feels like a concrete, physical embodiment of a piece of human soul. An offering, a mirror, a reminder of who we are – self-aware beings, with the need to create.

Although I have been painting for fun since childhood, I lost my passion and confidence in high school, where I felt stifled by the strict curriculum. In 2021, my journey back to painting began unconsciously, when I met my partner – an art enthusiast. I started making pieces for him as gifts, and somewhere in those quiet, intentional moments, I realised I wasn’t just painting for him – I was coming home to myself.

I’m a self-taught artist, and painting continues to touch parts of my being, I didn’t even know existed. My hope is that my work does the same for whoever falls in love with it. A sense of connection to the Earth, to themselves and to the shared human experience.

I am honoured to be a part of the Kunye Art Foundation, and have the opportunity to share my art with you.