Vivienne Lawrence

Vivienne, daughter of Bobby, was born and raised in the Lowveld in a rich artistic environment. She completed a secretarial course after school before going to study ceramics in Italy for a year.

On returning to South Africa, Vivienne practiced as a ceramic artist for 14 years, with a strong connection to the Craft Gallery in Rocky Drift where she had a small studio. Her first exhibition of ceramics, held at the Winkler Hotel in White River, was a sell-out. This was followed by another exhibition at the Nelspruit library.

Working with her husband of 15 years, John Bassi, a helicopter pilot involved with game capture, Vivienne developed her talent as a photographer of wildlife and natural scenery in the 1990’s. During this time Vivienne travelled the whole of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and in her own time travelled twice to Kenya for photography.

Subsequently, Vivienne’s love of painting produced many artworks on fabric in her studio space at Casterbridge. She held successful exhibitions at private residences in the Lowveld and in Johannesburg.

In 2018, Vivienne became ill with a brain tumour, which put her creative career on hold for a few years. With the encouragement of her cousin Heather, Vivienne picked up her paintbrush once more, this time with her left hand. The artworks offered on this art collective are the result of sheer tenacity and determination as Vivienne reclaimed her artistic skill and identity.

Vivienne currently produces impressive silkscreen works worthy of the finest hotels, game lodges, business premises and private residences. These works, with central animals, are bordered with intricate and symbolic ethnic symbols telling tales and giving context to the central elements.

Recently Vivienne has broadened her range of products to include prints, pillow covers, table runners and scarves based on her artworks.

Vivienne lives at Hulala near White River with her two dogs as her faithful companions.