Graeme Black’s artistic journey, deeply influenced by the woodlands of his Yorkshire home, took a transformative turn when he relocated to South Africa’s Western Cape in 2023. Immersed in the vibrant landscape of Kommetjie Beach, Graeme transitioned from his signature large-scale oil paintings to experimenting with coloured inks on paper. This shift allowed him to quickly capture the dynamic flora and striking light of the region. His "Good Hope" series, exhibited at the Connolly gallery, reflects the vividness and vitality of the South African landscape, blending Graeme's new medium with the expressive forms of nature.

One of the standout collaborations from this period is Graeme’s partnership with Frances VH Mohair. Frances, a mohair textile designer from the Karoo, worked with a team of women artisans to transform one of Graeme’s watercolour pieces into a tapestry. This artwork, inspired by the detailed textures of bark, seamlessly merged mohair with Graeme’s fluid, watercolour-like style. Hand-spun and hand-dyed mohair yarns were woven together to replicate the subtle shifts of colour and light, resulting in a piece that celebrates both the natural fibre and the masterful hands of weaver Katriena Kammies. This tapestry reflects a true collaboration, intertwining the ethos of Frances’ studio with Graeme’s creative vision, capturing the essence of nature in a delicate and powerful form.

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