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The Golden Miniatures series tells the story of a great escape. From the circus to the wilderness, these paintings speak to the secret inner worlds of the more-than-human world. They are a call to recognise all we owe to animals.
Behind the pieces
The Golden Miniatures project is a project started in 2011 by artist Katrine Claassens.
"It began when I found a photograph of a tombstone of circus animals that had died in a fire. The tombstone was engraved ‘We think they must have souls.’"
I began to paint circus animals escaping - ponies, zebra, elephants, tigers, and bears, all the while looking for some relief, perhaps some forgiveness, by painting them free.
I wanted them to find joy and liberation. I wanted them to be in landscapes and ecosystems they belong in.
Since then I've incorporated other animals doing other things, but the circus animals will always carry a special place in my heart.
Materials & Design
Ecological and artistic integrity are integral to my practice as an artist.
The medium matters
Each golden miniature painting is hand-painted on 23k recycled gold leaf, which helps eliminate the need for new, destructive mining operations and thus reduces toxic waste, water pollution, and habitat destruction.
Animal rights are a deep part of my practice and I source archival paper that is vegan (many paper-makers use gelatin, an animal byproduct).
All the paintings are custom-framed in Cape Town using sustainably sourced wood.
Artistic approach
Each painting is unique and no AI is used in any part of the painting process - from sketches for composition to choosing the subject matter.
Every year I donate works for charitable causes. If you are an organisation that centres biodiversity, animal welfare and other nature related causes, please reach out.
About the artist
Katrine Claassens's art reflects her work in climate change, urban ecology, biodiversity and animal rights. As artist she has led workshops, given public lectures and curated exhibitions all over the world from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Katrine also works as an environmental communications specialist. She has a master's degree in climate change from the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town and a degree in Fine Art from Stellenbosch University.
She works between her studios in Cape Town and Montreal.
Check out her other work, including her oil paintings, previous exhibitions and other work at www.katrineclaassens.com
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