​Contemporary South African Art

Born in Johannesburg in 1935, Denis began drawing at an early age. Denis is completely self taught, having no formal art training.

His early career started at the age of 15, working as an illustrator and cartoonist. With work spanning diverse topics such as heraldry advertising and astronomy. Wining Denis numerous awards during this period. 

As a young adult Denis spent a few years in Zambia, where he became fascinated by the rich and compelling wildlife. He began painting there and has travelled and painted in his home country as well as Swaziland and Kenya.

He served as chairman for two years for 'Artists under the Sun'. At 'Artists under the Sun', Denis's infamous 'Cat Women' drew thronging crowds and brought him to the attention of the art world. This led to a one man exhibition at the Hemingway Gallery in New York.

Later exhibitions included the Safari Club International, Kentucky Horse Centre, Explorers Club NY, The Everard Read Gallery JHB and the Mount Kenya Safari Club.

Commissions include book covers for Dell Publishing NY, Hallmark Cards, Wiggins - Teape and the William Burchell Museum.

Denis's work has helped various conservation causes, including the Loskop Cheetah Sanctuary, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.), the Animal Orphanage at Mount Kenya Safari Club and 'Beauty without Cruelty'

Denis's finely detailed art lends itself to Philately. Many commissions have resulted for South Africa, Transkei, Ciskei and Namibia.

With Denis designing the full '6th Definitive Series' for South Africa and Namibia. In Europe his depiction of a Leopard won him the 'Joh Enschede Masterpiece Award' for the best stamp printed there. Denis has also won 'Artist of the Year' and 'Best Stamp of the Year'

Denis has lived quietly with his wife of 30 years on his beloved high-veld. Passing away in June of 2012 at the age of 77

This site is dedicated to his memory and the legacy of his inspired art.