African Queen Art Collection

The African Queen Art Collection by Martin Osner is a powerful tribute to African womanhood—an evolving body of work that honours grace, dignity, and cultural identity. Through a blend of photography, painting, and mixed media, each portrait captures the beauty and strength of African women, portrayed with reverence and authenticity. This deeply personal series reflects Osner’s artistic exploration of character and spirit, expressed through vibrant textures, layered meaning, and expressive form.

The African Queen Art Collection by Martin Osner began as a series of photographic portraits enhanced with paint overlays—a technique he pioneered and now teaches in his art photography courses. From these early mixed media experiments, the collection grew to include gold metallic leaf, seen in popular works like Purple Reign.

Osner’s large-scale exhibition Memoirs of Light marked a turning point, introducing portraits like Eliza, created with ink and paint on metal at 150 x 120 cm. The most recent works form part of the Tshazile – She Who Shines project—a powerful eight-part painting series celebrating African womanhood, starting with Zinhle, Thandiwe, and Ananda - three identical sisters.

Additional pieces like Timeless, Nobhule, and The Golden Girls, showcased at his Timeless Transcendence Exhibition, expand the collection’s visual language, combining painting, mixed media, and photography to honour strength, grace, and cultural identity.

Tshazile Collection – She Who Shines

Tshazile – She Who Shines is a deeply personal portrait series by Martin Osner that honours the strength, grace, and spirit of African women. This powerful collection is centred on seven daughters—each a unique expression of identity, dignity, and quiet resilience. The series begins with three identical sisters, Ayanda, Zinhle, and Thandiwe, whose shared appearance reflects unity, yet whose individual stories reveal their distinct strengths and voices. Created in Osner’s signature style of paint and ink on either metal or canvas, each portrait stands as a radiant tribute to womanhood.

Zinhle

Zinhle is a captivating portrait from Martin Osner’s African Queen Art Collection, celebrating the beauty and spirit of African women through expressive, textured artistry. Her name means “they are beautiful” in Zulu—an embodiment of both the subject and the sentiment behind this striking piece.

Painted in Osner’s signature impasto style using a palette knife, Zinhle comes alive through layers of ink and acrylic on metal. Bold strokes of orange, yellow, and blue sweep across the portrait, reflecting the radiant colours of Africa and the dynamic individuality of the sister. This original work is both powerful and poetic, offering a visual tribute to strength, grace, and identity.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Metal

• Size: 75 x 95 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Sold

Thandiwe

Thandiwe, whose name means “beloved” in tribal belief, carries herself with youthful grace—her presence glowing softly like the dawn. As the second eldest of seven equally beautiful sisters in the Tshazile – She Who Shines series, she stands out with a quiet charm that is uniquely hers. From afar, the sisters may appear identical, but Thandiwe’s gentle shyness and introspective spirit set her apart.

Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, this original portrait forms part of Martin Osner’s African Queen Art Collection. With delicate brushwork and warm, earthy tones, Thandiwe reveals a depth of character that invites stillness and connection.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

• Size: 60 x 78 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Sold

Ayanda

Ayanda is one of three identical sisters in Martin Osner’s Tshazile – She Who Shines collection—a portrait series celebrating the beauty and spirit of African women. Her name means “they are increasing”—a symbol of growth and legacy.

While she shares a likeness with Zinhle and Thandiwe, Ayanda’s gentle strength and quiet grace set her apart. Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, this original work forms part of the African Queen Art Collection—where every portrait tells a story of feminine dignity.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

• Size: 92 x 74 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Currently on exhibition

• Shop Listing: View Ayanda on our online gallery

The Story Behind the Tshazile Collection

Three sisters with the same face, yet each tells her own story. What started as an offcut piece of aluminium and a moment of creative curiosity has grown into something I never expected. Ayanda, Zinhle, and Thandikwe emerged not from planning, but from that wonderful uncertainty that drives artistic discovery. Sometimes the most meaningful work happens when we're simply following our instincts, letting one piece lead naturally to the next.

Timeless Africa | From the Exhibition: Timeless Transcendence

Drawn from the exhibition Timeless Transcendence, the Timeless Africa Collection is a contemplative series of original paintings on canvas by Martin Osner. These works explore the enduring strength, shared stories, and quiet poetry of African womanhood.

Centred on themes of light, memory, and timeless expression, the collection includes Nobhule, The Golden Girls, and Timeless Africa—each painted with expressive brushwork and symbolic depth. In this body of work, Osner invites the viewer to slow down and reflect, revealing moments of grace that feel both grounded and eternal.

Timeless Africa

Two tribal women walk along a sunlit path, carrying large baskets filled with the fresh harvest balanced on their heads. Their steps are steady and purposeful, their voices low as they talk and laugh together—embodying a quiet transcendence that reflects their deep connection to the land and the rhythm of life.

Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, this original piece forms part of Martin Osner’s Timeless Africa Collection, created for the Timeless Transcendence exhibition. A warm and emotive work, it speaks to shared history, movement, and the everyday beauty of African life.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

• Size: 83 x 103 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Available

• Shop Listing: View Timeless Africa on our online gallery

Nobuhle

Nobuhle stands as a powerful embodiment of strength and resilience. Her gaze is unwavering—ready to defend, to honour, and to lead. Her name, meaning “of beauty,” reflects not only her striking presence but the inner grace that defines her as a spiritual warrior.

Adorned with symbols of her tribal identity, she carries the weight of her ancestors with quiet dignity and deep-rooted pride. Painted in acrylic and ink on canvas, Nobuhle forms part of the Timeless Africa Collection, created for the Timeless Transcendence exhibition—an original work that speaks of heritage, strength, and sacred purpose.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

• Size: 105 x 87.5 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Sold

The Golden Girls

This original painting from the African Queen Art Collection portrays two women adorned in vibrant attire, exuding grace, friendship, and quiet confidence. Using an abstract impressionistic style, Martin Osner blends bold patterns, layered textures, rich colours, and typography to evoke the energy of a modern African celebration.

Their poised forms echo tradition, yet the composition carries a contemporary elegance—honouring the strength of African identity and sisterhood in a festive, uplifting setting.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Paint on Canvas

• Size: 57 x 65 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Available

• Shop Listing: View The Golden Girls on our online gallery

Eliza | From the Exhibition: Memoirs of Light

Featured in the exhibition Memoirs of Light, "Yesterday" Collection, Eliza is a large-scale portrait by Martin Osner that captures a moment suspended in quiet emotion. The exhibition itself—curated alongside Ramzi Mansour and Samantha Lee Osner—explores the interplay of memory, atmosphere, and stillness through painterly photography and soft abstraction.

Eliza stands as a signature work within this contemplative collection: a luminous presence rendered in ink and paint on metal, shaped by texture, tone, and introspection. This portrait invites the viewer into a space of light and silence, where time seems to slow and emotion lingers.

Eliza

Eliza is a deeply emotive portrait from Martin Osner’s Yesterday Collection, exhibited as part of Memoirs of Light—a group exhibition reflecting on memory, emotion, and atmosphere.

This original piece is rendered in acrylic and ink on metal, layered with texture and tone to express vulnerability, presence, and timeless beauty. Paired with a poetic reflection on gratitude and connection, Eliza speaks to shared memory and the quiet strength of enduring bonds.

Artwork Details:

• Medium: Acrylic and Ink on Metal

• Size: 120 x 150 cm (Framed)

• Edition: Original 1 of 1 painting

• Availability: Sold

• Exhibition Brochure: View Memoirs of Light

Purple Reign | A Regal Tribute to African Womanhood

Purple Reign is a striking portrait from Martin Osner’s African Queen Art Collection—a fusion of abstraction and impressionism that celebrates the resilience, beauty, and quiet power of African women. With rich violet tones and gilded textures, this artwork portrays the rise of a new regal identity, where dignity triumphs over oppression and femininity is honoured in full colour.

This evocative piece invites viewers into a narrative shaped by strength and cultural pride, rendered with intricate layers and symbolic depth. As one of the most iconic works in the collection, Purple Reign offers not only visual splendour but a powerful emotional presence.

Purple Reign

Leading on from Martin Osner’s renowned African Queen series, Purple Reign is a radiant celebration of African royalty, identity, and grace. This abstract impression combines regal purple tones with layers of gold leaf, creating a shimmering façade that symbolises glamour, power, and transformation.

With its expressive textures and layered depth, Purple Reign stands as a modern tribute to strength and dignity, echoing the cultural richness of Africa’s matriarchal legacy. This limited edition archival print is available in custom sizes and continues to captivate collectors with its commanding presence and elegant energy.

Artwork Details:

• Artist: Martin Osner

• Medium: Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

• Size: 122 x 86 cm (Including Border) – Custom sizes available

• Edition: Limited Edition of 35

• On Exhibition: Osner Gallery | Feathers, Fantasy & Façades (27 March – 24 April 2021)

• Certificate of Authenticity: Included

• Availability: Available

• Shop Listing: View Purple Reign on our online gallery

Naledi | The First African Queen

Naledi—meaning “star” in Sesotho—was the first portrait created in what would become the African Queen Art Collection. This powerful mixed-media artwork sparked the entire series, developed as part of a unique painting technique that Martin Osner teaches in his advanced art photography course. Using overlays of paint, glycerine, and subtle photographic blending, Naledi became the foundation of a new visual language that celebrates African womanhood with grace and originality.

Radiant and timeless, she continues to shine as a symbol of the collection’s origin and intent—marking the beginning of a journey that would grow into a body of work honouring culture, beauty, and creative expression.

Naledi

Naledi, meaning “star” in Sesotho, was the very first portrait in Martin Osner’s African Queen Art Collection. Created using a unique mixed-media technique involving overlays of paint, glycerine, and photographic blending, Naledi set the creative direction for the entire series.

Developed during Osner’s exploration of new methods—now taught in his Advanced Art Photography Course—this original work fuses expressive texture with elegant form. The result is a captivating portrait that remains a cornerstone of the collection, symbolising the birth of a visual tribute to African beauty and strength.

Artwork Details:

• Artist: Martin Osner

• Medium: Archival Print on Fine Art Paper

• Size: 122 x 86 cm (Including Border) – Custom sizes available

• Edition: Limited Edition of 35

• Exhibited: Osner Gallery | Feathers, Fantasy & Façades (27 March – 24 April 2021)

• Certificate of Authenticity: Included

• Availability: Available

• Shop Listing: View Naledi on our online gallery

A Legacy in Portraits

The African Queen Art Collection stands as a tribute to the grace, resilience, and spirit of African women—told through a fusion of photography, painting, and mixed media. Each artwork is more than a portrait; it’s a story, a symbol, and a celebration of identity.

Created by Martin Osner over a number of years, this collection draws on innovative techniques taught in his Advanced Art Photography Course, blending traditional art with expressive experimentation. From the very first portrait of Naledi to the luminous strength of Ayanda, Zinhle, and Purple Reign, the series continues to evolve, reflecting a timeless narrative through the lens of fine art.

We invite you to revisit these works, explore the available editions, or discover more about the techniques behind the art. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the women who shine—then, now, and always.