LEIGH VOIGT - The Allure of our Arboreal Allies

Everyone loves a tree. From their leafy boughs, a dawn chorus of birds celebrates every single morning, as if it were the first. Settling down to the serious requirements of life, they are soon foraging for sustenance that only a tree can bestow. Delicious fruits, seeds, perhaps a fat caterpillar. Now and then their flitting is interrupted by a visiting family of primates who comb through every gnarl and layer, before settling for a while to bicker, groom and snooze. 

Leafy branches disguise all manner of patient predators. The visit of an elephant can severely interrupt everyone’s day as the prized leaves are always going to be at the apex.  This is the daily ritual that all lovers of nature seek when we visit our beloved African wilderness. Hot, raw geology clothed by an extraordinary array of trees; each species subtly unique in shape, hue and visual density. Some common. Others rare. Some ephemeral.  Many very, very old. All contribute to an enduring ecosystem that calms our spirits and delights our intellect as we immerse ourselves in the presence of plants growing where their seed fell and germinated, often in an era long before our own.  

An eminent and exacting botanical artist, Leigh Voigt has minutely examined trees throughout her life. She has both scrutinized them scientifically and as biological miracles, she has stood in their presence in wonder.

Leigh understands the essence of a tree. A particular species impacts an atmosphere to a landscape that transcends all other characteristics. It’s why we talk of Mopaneveld, Miombo or Middleveld. Leigh’s paintings often juxtapose deep shade with blinding white light. After all, the shade thrown by a tree - particularly in an area of unrelenting aridity - can define its character as profoundly as a beautifully rendered gnarled old trunk. 

The Allure of our Arboreal Allies bears testimony to Leigh’s lifelong reverence of trees. It is also a triumph of fine painting. The pursuit of intelligently commenting on a habitat, as well as capturing the characteristics of a particular specimen requires a rare artist at the peak of their facilities. Leigh effortlessly achieves this combination and, in this exhibition, has produced supremely elegant works of art.

Mark Read

For more information please contact gallery@everard.co.za