About the Artwork
Queen Protea by Lorraine van Wyk is a luminous fine art photograph that explores beauty and strength through the metaphor of flora. At the heart of the portrait is a woman adorned with traditional African gold and beaded jewellery, her expression assured and her gaze direct. She is painted and wrapped in layers of cream, soft pinks, and muted carmine, echoing the delicate yet commanding bloom of the Queen Protea, a beloved fynbos shrub native to South Africa. The image captures not just external beauty, but the quiet resilience and grace woven into generations of women across the country.
Van Wyk uses her signature attention to detail and colour to create a portrait that feels timeless and deeply rooted in place. Every texture, from the gleam of gold to the subtle folds of fabric, is rendered with clarity and care. Queen Protea stands as a powerful symbol of cultural pride and femininity. Framed with Diasec for exceptional sharpness and richness, the work is a standout example of South African fine art photography, merging botanical symbolism with contemporary portraiture. It invites reflection, admiration, and a deeper appreciation for the stories held within both people and plants.
