Discover and Culture
At Ariva Arts Shop, immerse yourself in the rich heritage of local Indigenous art. Our curated collection showcases the diverse talents and traditions of the region, offering a unique cultural experience. Explore authentic crafts, captivating stories, and the vibrant spirit of the Garden Route community.
Our Featured Artists
Meet the talented artists whose work is showcased at Ariva Arts Shop.
Eugene Lewis
Ceramic Artist
Hailing from the scenic town of Knysna, Eugene Lewis brings a powerful fusion of culture and craftsmanship to the AIR Visual Art Exhibition on Human Rights Day, showcasing his Tribal Africa collection. With a passion rooted in the rich traditions of South Africa’s diverse tribes, Eugene’s individually hand-crafted ceramic figurines capture the essence of traditional garments and accessories, celebrating the heritage and beauty of the nation’s tribal cultures.
Each figurine in Eugene’s collection is a unique masterpiece, expertly crafted to reflect a distinctive Tribal Africa look. Through his work, he seeks to honor the unique identities and stories of the various tribes, while creating timeless pieces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful. The figurines can be customized and produced in larger quantities for corporate orders, and can even be mounted on wooden plinths and engraved to serve as distinguished trophies and awards.
With every piece, Eugene brings to life the motto: “One love, one heart, one people, one destiny,” underscoring his belief in unity and the power of art to bridge cultures and communities. His work at the exhibition offers a profound testament to the deep cultural roots of South Africa, celebrating its tribal heritage and the shared humanity that binds us all.
Michael Nyoni
Sculptor
Zimbabwean-born Visual Artist & Wood Sculptor
Michael Nyoni is a Zimbabwean-born visual artist and wood sculptor now based in Knysna, South Africa. His artistic journey is deeply rooted in his profound connection to nature, which serves as his greatest inspiration. Working primarily with wood, including driftwood, Nyoni creates intricate sculptures that tell powerful stories, reflecting the beauty, simplicity, and complexity of the African landscape and its people.
His work is distinguished by its organic and earthy essence, capturing the harmony between art and nature. By transforming discarded driftwood into stunning sculptures, Nyoni breathes new life into natural materials, evoking emotion and connection through his thought-provoking pieces. His art invites viewers to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and deepens the appreciation of the natural world.
Que Qiniso
Hand-painted metal Sculptor
Stanley Grootboom
Visual Artist and Author
Stanley Grootboom is a South African visual artist whose work explores the social, cultural, and heritage impacts of disappearing rural communities. His practice focuses on vanishing villages, documenting the lives, stories, and traditions of people displaced by development and the loss of historic settlements.
Working with materials salvaged from demolished homes, Grootboom creates multidisciplinary projects that include tin books, music boxes, sculptural instruments, sound recordings, and oil paintings. Central to his process is oral history—interviewing elders, recording their stories and music, and preserving endangered cultural knowledge for future generations.
Grootboom is also a children’s book illustrator and author. His illustrated books draw on KhoiSan heritage and storytelling traditions of the Tsitsikamma, where many local communities are direct descendants of the KhoiSan. His authored art book, rooted in these oral histories, was the subject of an academic article published in the South African Journal of Art History (2014).