About Retha

My work is born out of love for art and ceramics, vivid colours, and passion for life.

Retha

Retha Olivier’s art is a conversation between history and possibility. With a painter’s instinct honed over decades, she wields brush, clay, glass, and found materials as instruments of narrative alchemy. Her works are portals — each one a fusion of memory, myth, and meticulous craftsmanship, inviting viewers to step into a world where discarded matter becomes luminous relics.

As the driving force behind Injoni Umlilo — her personal brand — and BIAS, her nonprofit initiative, Retha transforms creative spaces into sanctuaries for both artists and ideas. Through workshops, exhibitions, and community programs, she nurtures emerging talent while advocating for upcycling, environmental consciousness, and digital inclusion.

Her visual language draws on a tapestry of influences: the raw textures of the South African landscape, the fluid elegance of Art Nouveau, and the layered symbolism of mythic storytelling. She weaves these threads into works that are as intellectually engaging as they are visually striking.

Retha’s practice is not bound by medium — from oil on canvas to melted bottle glass, from hand-painted relic stones to AI-illustrated scrolls — each piece is chosen for its ability to carry story. Her art is equally at home in a gallery, on a digital platform, or in the hands of a child discovering their first spark of creativity.

Artistic Philosophy

“I believe every material has a second life, every story another chapter. My work is about finding the ember in the ashes and coaxing it back into flame.”

Selected Highlights

• Founder & CEO of Barberton Innovative Artist Society (BIAS) — empowering artists through training, sustainable practices, and creative community projects.

• Creator of The AI Scrolls and Portal Project, blending traditional art with interactive digital storytelling.

• Exhibitor at regional and national shows, including the Mpumalanga Show and commissioned works for Riverside Park.

Sustainability

Our thoughts about the planet impact everything we do, from the clay we use to the packaging we provide. Find out how we stay responsible.