Barbara Rae Norridge South African, Contemporary

Barbara has been living in Leicestershire, England since 1992, though her passion for painting began in her early years. She studied at the Johannesburg College of Art Foundation and held exhibitions at Lidchi’s Art Gallery in Johannesburg, where she received both private and corporate commissions. A lifelong fascination with wildlife and the natural world has been the driving force behind Barbara’s work. Having spent a significant portion of her life in Africa, she draws deeply from the continent’s rich and expansive game reserves, which she continues to visit regularly for inspiration. Her earlier work centred around birds in their natural habitats, often incorporating foliage, savannah or watery backdrops, while she has also become known for her atmospheric coastal scenes. These paintings carry a dreamlike quality, with soft, flowing brushstrokes and diffused colours that seem to drift across the canvas.

In recent years, Barbara’s artistic focus has returned to her first love, birds, particularly game birds and waders. Her careful observation and deep empathy with the natural world allow her to capture not only the physical characteristics of her subjects but also their personalities and behaviours. Her compositions often depict gatherings of birds, subtly suggesting themes of community and connection. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness for the protection of wetland habitats and the troubling decline of songbird populations.