zimbabwe is beautiful, powerful, resilient and a rule unto her own. i feel very privileged to have grown up here, and more to the point, on our family farm in the north east of the country -  overlooking the zambezi valley. it has instilled in me respect for community, awe for nature, and an imagination to boot! now, with our beautiful country going through turmoil, our farm ripped from us, and communities and families splitting up all around us and leaving, it makes me more and more determined to stay. life is by no means easy, and the hardship seems to be pulling the countrys population closer together. the privileged, like myself, have had to face the reality of how the poorer people here have always struggled, and the respect they deserve which they haven't always received. we are healing our country, and i like to think that in my own small way i am contributing to this healing process. forgiveness is the key. resentment and revenge is not. painting has the potential to make people confident and full of self-worth. i hope that my paintings convey a sense of fun, character, beauty and vibrancy.

biography for tamryn j pohl

my life was very wildlife and bush orientated, and although i spent most of my time at a boarding school in harare, my weekends at home were filled with long walks on the farm, exploring kopjes and discovering as much as i could about the place.

i left school to travel overseas, mainly the uk, belize, usa and canada, to return and work as a guide and hostess in safari lodges in zimbabwe.  i was going to try and paint as well as work in the lodges, but unfortunately found that was impossible due to them both being very demanding jobs.  therefore, in 2000 i decided to take the plunge and paint on a full time basis. my first exhibition was held at seasons restaurant in harare with a number of other artists, and it was sold out.

filled with confidence, i proceeded to plan my career, and approached richard rennie gallery in harare, where i now currently display my work and have held a number of exhibitions. i have had to date five exhibitions, one being solo.  in each one my work was either sold out or i sold over 50% on the night.

my art can best be described as semi-abstract wildlife, watercolour and ink/mixed media.  the main feature i like to portray in my paintings is the subject's character. each animal and species has a unique personality, and that is what i am trying to depict.

spreading my wings, i have started to market myself abroad, mainly in the usa and uk and am hoping to exhibit  in the near future. i currently live  in harare, making the occasional "business trip" to mana, hwange and various other zimbabwean national parks.  zimbabwe is a stunning country, despite the troubles and  i am determined to carry on living in the land of my birth, and be a good ambassador, and promote it through art. i have been blessed with a gift to create paintings which are fun, make people feel great and bring out the uniqueness of our animals and birds, and i am very thankful for that..