Amy Ayanda Lester

Amy Ayanda Lester (b.1992) is a Cape Town-based artist and musician whose vibrant, abstract works explore the intricate relationship between memory, loss, and the striking natural beauty of the South African landscape. A graduate of The Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, where she earned an Honours degree in Painting, Lester's work is deeply inspired by her surroundings, particularly the region's unique flora, colours, and people.

Her art, which spans paintings, prints, and collaborative vessels, often features iconic elements like proteas, fynbos, and the silhouette of Table Mountain. These motifs are not merely decorative but are imbued with personal and historical weight, stemming from her family's profound connection to the land and the trauma of their forced removal from their flower farm during Apartheid. This poignant contradiction—between the land's stunning beauty and the painful memories it holds—reverberates through her work.

Lester's style is characterized by a loose, wandering quality, guided by an intuitive and spontaneous use of colour. She describes her application of colour as being dedicated to a specific feeling or moment, capturing its immediate, abstract, and playful essence.

Throughout her career, Lester has been a notable participant in numerous group exhibitions and has exhibited independently. In March 2024, she collaborated with printmaker Roxy Kaczmarek at the prestigious David Krut Workshop. Her recent projects also include a series of vessels with Natasha Human and a new body of nine original works on canvas prepared for a solo presentation at the Latitudes Art Fair in May 2024.