Meet

Olivia Botha

Discover Olivia Botha's practice through the lens her origins, sources of inspiration, and her thoughts on the ideal conditions in which her work comes to life.

Uprise Art: Where are you from and where do you reside?

Olivia Botha: I’m from Cape Town, South Africa, but I am now based in Germany. I initially came to the country at the end of 2021 for the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Fellowship, and ended up staying. My husband and I now live in Cologne, and my studio is based in Bonn.

UA: What necessities do you require when making your art?

OB: Lots of coffee, chocolate, and good music.

Olivia Botha holding a paintbrush in her hand as she considers her painting pinned to the wall. — Photo by Aart Steinmann

Paint-caked brushes on a table in Olivia Botha's studio.

UA: How do your surroundings direct your approach to your work?

OB: My surroundings seep in quite subtly. Moving from South Africa to Germany has shifted my sense of space and place, and I think that reflects in the work. I notice textures, marks, and traces in urban environments (things that are in flux or partially erased) and these often find their way into my process.

UA: Where do you find your day-to-day inspiration?

OB: Everywhere. In graffiti, especially where it has been erased or painted over, in flowers and natural forms, and in museums. I’m often drawn to things that feel overlooked or in-between states.

Olivia Botha sitting at a table in her studio working on a sketch surrounded by art supplies and artwork. — Photo by Aart Steinmann

A wall of supplies and tools in Olivia Botha's studio.

UA: Did you go to art school?

OB: I studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town. I was fortunate to work closely with Berni Searle and Jane Alexander, both incredible South African artists, and their guidance had a lasting impact on how I think about making.

UA: Do you admire or draw inspiration from any of your peers who are also working now? Have you ever collaborated - or would you? How solitary is your art-making process?

Olivia Botha working on a yellow abstract painting. — Photo by Aart Steinmann

A table full of art supplies and sketches in Olivia Botha's studio.

OB: I’m constantly inspired by my peers; seeing how others are pushing their work keeps me questioning and evolving my own. While my studio practice is quite solitary, I really value collaboration and exchange. Having had the chance to work in incredibly inspiring atelier environments has stayed with me. In particular the two years I spent at the Bag Factory in Johannesburg, and now at the Atelierhaus of the Bonner Kunstverein in Bonn. These spaces create a sense of shared energy, even when the work itself remains deeply individual.

UA: What’s next for you?

OB: I’m excited to be part of the upcoming 15th anniversary exhibition at Uprise Art. I’ll also be visiting the Venice Biennale during the preview week to meet with curators and colleagues, which is always a highlight. After that, I’ll be at Volta Art Fair in Basel showing new work. Otherwise, I’m focused on being in the studio and continuing to develop new pieces.