Capturing the spirit of democracy and hope in Morningside

Local artist Nessa Temlett has beautifully captured the spirit of South Africa in her latest painting, combining the country’s iconic king protea with imagery of voters queuing on election day.

A creation that intertwines nature, national pride, and civic responsibility, Temlett’s work is not just a piece of art, it is a reflection of South Africa’s resilience and hope for the future.

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Temlett, based in Morningside, started painting at 42 years old after a life-altering experience and explained that the inspiration behind her painting came from a project in her art class.

The task was to draw her favourite flower, and she chose the king protea, South Africa’s national flower.

“I have always loved the king protea because it represents our country so well. It has several colour forms, just like the diversity of people in South Africa. Its strong and striking presence symbolises unity and the vibrant life of our nation.”

Her choice of setting the painting against the backdrop of voting day holds deep meaning for Temlett.

As she recalled her experience volunteering at a local voting station, she saw firsthand the determination of South Africans to shape their future through the electoral process.

“The king protea represents South Africa at the centre, held together by politicians who now have to decide the best way forward after the election results. They are like the protea’s petals, gathered together to discuss the future.”

Through this imagery, she has linked the act of voting, an essential part of democracy, with the beauty and resilience of nature.

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She sees a parallel between the king protea’s ability to survive wildfires, due to its thick underground stem filled with dormant buds, and South Africa’s potential for renewal after difficult times.

“Just like the protea regenerates after a fire, I believe South Africa can grow stronger and flourish, even after the challenges we have faced over the years.”

The process of creating this intricate painting was a joyful one for Temlett.

“Once I chose the king protea as the main theme, everything started to flow. I placed it in the centre of the canvas and surrounded it with large leaves that created the landscape. The brown curved wall at the top represents the dry land that the protea thrives in, while the blue sky, which I painted in a Van Gogh-inspired style, represents hope.”

The influence of her art classes is clear, as she incorporated techniques she had been learning, such as using a palette knife to add texture to the sky and landscape.

She also brought her personal touch to the depiction of the people queuing to vote.

“I added voters both at the top and bottom of the canvas, symbolising how we came together as a nation during elections.”

The painting took her four days to complete, with the initial charcoal sketch taking just three hours.

“The rest was all about filling in the blanks with colour and texture, and it felt like the ideas just kept flowing.”

Art has become a powerful outlet for Temlett, who first picked up a paintbrush after being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42.
“It was after my double mastectomy that I tried painting, and I found it incredibly therapeutic. I have never looked back since.”

Now, she balances her passion for art with her landscaping business, spending most of her creative time in the quieter months.

Her painting has already garnered admiration from those around her, including her art teacher and fellow students.

“My art teacher loves it and my friends and family think it’s one of my best works. They appreciate how the protea pops out of the page,” she concluded, beaming with pride.

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