Rencia
Froneman

Artist Biography

Born in September 1966, during Apartheid South Africa into an artistic family, I always practiced my art as a side-line. Later graduating from the School of Art Ballet & Music in Pretoria and subsequently studying Social Sciences at University, I chose a creative career. Founding a Television Production Company, Gumba-Guumbs Films and later expanding further in to Advertising and Communications offerings.

In 2014, I made the most life-changing decision of my career, retreating to the solitude and rural beauty of a farm near Swellendam, Western Cape, maintaining only enough corporate contracts to sustain myself.

Post Covid-19, in 2022 I managed the South African Pavilion of the Venice Biennale awarded to me for my conceptualisation of the theme “Into the Light”, which encouraged artists to evaluate and redefine their artistic vision. Thereafter I embarked on my own soul-searching mission.

I decided to follow my long suppressed path back to art and needed a complete change of scenery. I wanted to immerse myself in experiencing new places and cultural diversity whilst carrying with me my own rich African heritage. After considering a range of emigration destinations, in 2023, I chose Portugal as my spiritual and creative home to express my passion.