Sisonke Gallery at the Cape Heritage Hotel is pleased to present ‘North Bound’, a solo exhibition by Western Cape artist Rentia Retief. On show from 3 June to 31 July 2026, the exhibition marks another significant chapter in Retief’s evolving exploration of place, memory and the emotional life of the natural world.
The exhibition was born from a transformative experience: an artist residency in Tunisia, on the northernmost tip of the African continent. For Retief, who grew up in the Overberg (not far from Africa’s southernmost point) this journey was significantly personal. North Bound brings together works made during that residency and in its aftermath, alongside paintings inspired by recent travels through the Northern Cape and Limpopo.
The title carries both literal and metaphorical weight. It references the ancient route of Africa’s earliest human migrations (the great northward trek from the southern tip of the continent) and it speaks to Retief’s own heritage as someone of Northern European descent, living and belonging in the South of Africa. ‘The physical and cultural contrast between these spaces was a personal journey of finding a sense of belonging within Africa as a South African,’ she says.
Underpinning the exhibition is the concept of saudade which is a Portuguese word describing a melancholic longing for something lost or perhaps never had in the first place. ‘My approach to landscape art can most accurately be described as saudade. I have a longing for the stillness echoed in my work,’ Retief has said. This sensibility permeates the works on show, from the hazy coastal architecture of a Tunisian port town dissolving into water and light, to the storm-laden skies above South Africa’s mountain ranges and the vast, shimmering expanse of open sea.
Many of the works were made en plein air (in the open air, on-site rather than in a studio) where natural elements like wind, soil and shifting light actively contribute to the process. ‘When you paint en plein air, the challenge is in capturing your surroundings before the light changes,” Retief reflects. “Here, you are faced with the reminder that every moment is fleeting, which grounds you to become more present.’ A particular highlight is From Rooiberg’s Stoep, painted on location while chasing the last of the light.
Among the works Retief holds most dear is Nie veel meer oor nie (2026) which is a seascape distinguished by a soft, luminous palette. ‘I was influenced by the vibrant colours in North Africa, and I feel like it translates into my landscapes from South Africa,’ she says. The result is work that bridges two worlds: the warm, saturated atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast and the quieter, more introspective light of the southern African landscape.
Visitors to North Bound are invited to follow Retief on this continent-spanning journey and, in doing so, find their own. ‘I hope they can take away a sense of wonder and peace,’ she says. All works in the exhibition are available for sale.
Exhibition details
Exhibition: North Bound
Dates: 3 June to 31 July 2026
Venue: Sisonke Gallery, Cape Heritage Hotel, 90 Bree Street, Cape Town
For more information on HUB Gallery visit https://houseunionblock.co.za/
Instagram: @spierartstrust, @rentiaretief
Facebook: Spier Arts Trust, Rentia Retief
