Deodanda Brown

Bio

Born in 1974, Deodanda’s childhood years were divided between growing up in the old Diamond town of Kimberley in the Northern Cape and on their family farm in the rural district of Bultfontein in the heart of the Free State. Her love for cattle fuelled her desire to pursue a career in humane livestock breeding, and she obtained a Master’s degree in medical and veterinary entomology. As her family later relocated from the farm, she started working in clinical and medical research.

Art only came later into in her life, in her early thirties, when she decided to pick up the paint brushes for the first time. What started as a hobby, soon became a serious pursuit. After a long and stressful career as a medical writer, it was time for a much-needed change. Deodanda has been painting full-time since 2016.

As someone who loves God with all her heart, it is not surprising that her art would reveal His magnificent creation. Growing up on the farm still provide endless memories from which she continues to draw inspiration for her work.

2023 Louis raises a record amount within the USA with one of his PCR maquette sculptures at Liberty Golf Club. He starts a collaboration with Tay Dall, giving a new dimension to his PCR sculptures. 2024 Louis’ starts on a new venture with his “Illusion” range, showcasing mild- and stainless steel sculptures that intrigue the viewer by having completely different perspectives from different angles.

His interesting insets add a complexity and deeper meaning to these innovative sculptures. Miami welcomed his sculptures in March 2024; both at “Art Wynnwood”, at a private exhibition for VOGUE; and in December 2024 in collaboration with the National Hotel, who hosted an exhibition.

2025 Opened 1st Feb with an exciting event in Johannesburg, an exhibition at the launch of the Rolls Royce Showroom (one of only 3 in the world) on the 1st of Feb; in collaboration with Daytona, with worlds” nr.1 DJ Black Coffee playing…

Artist Statement

From desolated landscapes that capture only the land’s natural beauty at the heart of each painting, to swirling seascapes, vibrant florals and the striking portraits of her beloved cows and bulls, Deodanda Brown’s art always focuses on protecting God’s magnificent creation, ending animal cruelty, and finding hope.

“Growing up on a farm sowed the seeds of the many memories I carry with me”, she says. “I fell in love with the natural and quiet beauty of the land and the gentle souls of the animals that call it home.”

Her cattle art lies very close to her heart. Growing up with dairy cows, she fell in love with the loving temperaments of these highly intelligent animals and started studying various cattle breeds from all over the world.
Throughout her artistic career, she felt the need to show people the hidden beauty of these animals and create awareness against the inhumane and disrespectful brutalities of the meat and dairy industries.

Deodanda became passionate about the Ankole cattle and its sister breed, the Watusi that are known for their magnificent, massive, and heavy horns spanning up to 8 feet. With ancestors dating back to ancient Egypt, these two breeds form part of Africa’s oldest Sanga cattle breeds and were named after the Ankole people from Uganda and the Tutsi people from Rwanda and Burundi who, through their skilled herdmanship, have created four distinctive Ankole Watusi strains, each unique to the area where they are raised. Able to survive the harsh African climate, the Ankole and Watusi continue to play a significant role in the wealth status and livelihoods of these tribes and are considered sacred in certain areas. Unfortunately, the Ankole is on the brink of extinction in its native country, Uganda, due to over-slaughtering for its uniquely shaped horns that are a much sought after and highly prized decorative item. By creating a portrait milieu, Deodanda invites the viewer to step closer to her cows and bulls to witness their magnificent beauty and discover the gentle and loving souls that are mothers, fathers, and protectors.

Her work speaks of hope, courage, and joy and is infused with a myriad of colour nuances through a variety of textures that range from soft and delicate to bold and energetic.

She enjoys working on both large and small canvases and uses the richness of oil pigments to convey her subject matter.

Deodanda left her career in the pharmaceutical industry in 2016 to pursue her love for art full-time. She is a self-taught painter who has taken part in numerous group exhibitions. Her work is represented by local galleries in Paarl, Bellville, and Noordhoek. She lives and works in Durbanville, South Africa.

Artistic Vision

“When people look at my cattle portraits, I want them to see the beauty of sensitive and intelligent beings that are so often perceived as merely farming commodities. I also want them to find motivation and hope. Weaved into the titles of my paintings are pieces from my life’s story. There were difficult times when I had to find the courage to start over, and there were many times when I stood in awe before the miracles of God. I am excited to be on a journey that allows me to give thanks to God and our Saviour, Jesus, who gave me the heart of an artist to share His creation through my work.”

Current Gallery Representation (2024 & 2025)

Signature Art Gallery, Cape Town
Curator: Lisa King and Craig Morris
www.signatureart.co.za

Cape Gallery, Cape Town
Curator: Gail Dorje
www.capegallery.co.za

Noordhoek Art Point Gallery, Noordhoek
Curator: Aimee Kruger
www.noordhoekartpoint.co.za

The Winelands Art Gallery, Avondale Winery, Paarl
Curator: Ryan van den Berg
www.thewinelandsartgallery.com

Art.b Gallery, Bellville
Contact: Daleen Louw
www.artb.co.za

Earlier Gallery Representation (2023 – 2016)

Art@Constantia Gallery, Groot Constantia, Cape Town
Marze Botha Art Gallery, Stellenbosch
Rust-en-Vrede Gallery, Durbanville
Lindy Van Niekerk Art Gallery, Bellville
The Pepper Tree Art Stable, Philadelphia

Artist Achievements

Vuleka Art Competition, Finalist, 2018 ~ hosted by the Western Cape Arts Association (Art.b Gallery)

Featured Magazine Publications

2018 The South African Artist Magazine (Issue 34)
Featured soft pastel demonstrator: 30-minute warm up

2017 The South African Artist Magazine (Issue 23)
Featured soft pastel demonstrator: The cattle portrait

2015 Old Masters (US Fine Art Materials Manufacturer)
Guest author: Alkyd medium versus maroger – an artist’s view

2014 The South African Artist Magazine (Issue 14)
Featured oil painting demonstrator: Rocks in the landscape

Artist Group Exhibitions (2025 – 2024)

2025 Art Point Collective “Under the Sun”
(Kamers 2025, Stellenbosch, Mar 2025)
Group exhibition by Noordhoek Art Point Gallery

2025 Art-b Gallery (Bellville Art Association, Mar 2025)
Members Exhibition (group exhibition)

2024 Art Collective (Majik Forest Shopping Centre, Apr 2024)
Group exhibition by Locally Cape Town

Art Collective (Majik Forest Shopping Centre, Oct 2024)
Group exhibition by Locally Cape Town

Art-b Gallery, Bellville Art Association (Dec 2024)
Uncurated II (group exhibition)