Gerda Smit | Fish Hoek - Cape Town | Illustrations
Gerda Smit, professionally known as O.Griet, is a fine artist and illustrator whose work brings together storytelling, sculpture, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.
Trained in painting and ceramics at the Tshwane University of Technology, Gerda developed a distinctive visual language that combines technical skill with a deep sense of playfulness.
Her academic thesis explored the childlike and naïve quality that many artists long for — an intentional unlearning in their process, where the focus shifts from polished outcomes to creating for the sake of expression and discovery.
At the heart of her creative practice is a rich process that includes visual diary work, experimental drawings, and hand-built ceramic characters. These sculptural forms often emerge as companions to her illustrations, or as standalone artworks that give her stories a tangible, three-dimensional life.
Between Page and Object
Gerda’s work moves fluidly between the page and the object, offering viewers a world where play and process are intimately linked, and where even the smallest moment can spark a sense of joy.
What's in a Name?
The name O.Griet — loosely translated from Afrikaans as “oops-a-daisies” or “oh dear” - captures the spirit of her work perfectly: playful, observant, and full of unexpected delight.
Connect with Gerda
Her illustrations in The book Jakkals & Wolf brought the characters to life. My grandkids enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteGerda Smit is an exceptional artist whose work in illustration, painting, and ceramics radiates creativity and soul. Every piece she creates is alive with talent and passion. In her classes, she generously shares this same spirit—teaching technique with excellence while inspiring her students to discover their own joy and freedom in the creative process.
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful! I bet you make reading to children much easier and more enjoyable. I am glad I could afford to buy something from you!
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