LEIGH VOIGT
(b. 1943 Johannesburg)

Leigh Voigt was born in Johannesburg in 1943 and is the daughter of the botanical artist, Barbara Jeppe. She studied at the Johannesburg School of Art, but before deciding to devote her time to art Leigh worked for an advertising agency between 1962 and 1968.

The wildlife studies executed by Leigh Voigt have great sensitivity and are remarkable for the wonderful use of colour. She is particularly well-known for her bird studies and depiction of small wild creatures. Leigh concentrates on the patterns, which identify various animals, rather than the details, which describe them - the spots in the guinea fowl, the stripes on the francolin. This empathy with the essence of the creatures, which she portrays has caused her charming works to be much in demand as book illustrations. In 1981 she illustrated a book written by Marguerite Poland called Once at Kwa Fubesill and more recently Sambane´s Dream and other Stories also by Poland. Sonoog - Die Lewe van ‘n Graatjiell by Rudolf Erasmus was also illustrated by Leigh. Her original illustrations for the article "The Rarest Birds in the World" for the International Wildlife Magazine were exhibited at the Wildlife Gallery, Toronto.

Her first solo exhibition was in 1967 at the Lloyd Ellis Gallery. Since then she has held many successful solo shows and participated in selected group exhibitions throughout South Africa. In 1973 she participated in the International Botanical Art Exhibition and in the "Winter 17311” exhibition in Johannesburg. She participated in the Wildlife Artists of The World exhibition at The Everard Read Gallery in 1985, held a successful solo exhibition at The Sanderling Gallery in 1987, and participated in the 1988 Wildlife Exhibition at The Sanderling Gallery. In 1991, 1992 and 1995 Leigh´s work was included on the International Wildlife and Natural History Exhibitions held at The Everard Read Gallery.

Leigh is a keen conservationist who devotes time to assisting organizations such as the Endangered Wildlife Trust. She donates paintings to raise funds for endangered animals and her Rand Daily Mail newspaper column with Sue Hart, entitled "In the Wild" did much to foster conservation awareness. 

In 2004 the highly acclaimed book on the Nguni Cattle of Southern Africa was launched. “The Abundant Herds” is written by Marguerite Poland and David Hammond-Tooke. Leigh was invited to work closely with these experts and spent nine years researching her subject and painting hundreds of watercolours and about eighty large oil paintings to illustrate this important Southern African publication. 

A versatile artist, Leigh designs and creates beautiful tapestries, and is also a talented portrait painter. 

Leigh is married to the artist Harold Voigt and they have two sons, Max, an architect and Walter, an artist, illustrator and graphic designer. The family live in a mountain-top house designed and built by Harold. 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2026
Significant Trees, Everard Read, London, UK

2024
The Allure of our Arboreal Allies, White River Gallery, White River, South Africa
The Allure of our Arboreal Allies, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2018
The Silent Spectators of History, Everard Read, London, UK

2010
The Recollections of a Dendrogenealogist, White River Art Gallery, White River, William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley, and Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008
Exhibition of the Nguni cattle paintings and illustrations featured The Abundant Herds, Ron Belling Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

2004
Bonisa Private Gallery, Kloof, South Africa

1999
Lulu Phezulu paintings exhibition, The Studio, Johannesburg, South Africa

1992
The Studio, Johannesburg, South Africa

1988
Association of Arts, Pretoria, South Africa

1987
Sanderling Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1986
Bruce Ponting Gallery, Nelspruit, South Africa

1983
Carriagehouse Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1977
Lister Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1971
Bird Studies, Lister Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1970
Bird Studies, Lister Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1967
Lloys-Ellis Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2020
Staring Straight to the Future, Everard Read Group, South Africa and UK
Odyssey, Everard Read Group, South Africa and UK

2018
SUMMER Exhibition III, Everard Read Gallery, London, UK

2013
Centenary Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008
Inaugural FNB Art Joburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

2005
Exhibition of the Nguni cattle paintings and illustrations featured in The Abundant Herds, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Exhibition of the Nguni cattle paintings and illustrations featured in The Abundant Herds, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa

2004
Ten Years of Democracy, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Art for Survival, Christie’s, London, UK

2002
Strydom Gallery, George, South Africa

2001
Tryon and Swann Gallery, London, UK

2000
Botanical exhibition, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
25th anniversary of Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA

1999
Martial Eagle, bathing exhibited, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum,
Wisconsin, USA (touring show)
Annual exhibition, Strydom Gallery, George, South Africa

1997
Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA

1996
Christie’s Wildlife Art Auction, London, UK

1995
Waterfowl Festival Exhibition, Maryland, USA
Wildlife Art Auction at Christie’s, London, UK
Family group exhibition, The Studio, Johannesburg, South Africa

1994
Annual Showcase, Prestige Gallery, Toronto, Canada

1993
Still Life Group Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Show in honour of Simon Calburn, Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa

1992
Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA

1991
3rd Annual Original Art Showcase, Prestige Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada

1984
Bird Artists of the World, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1981
International Wildlife Magazine’s ‘Rarest Birds in the World’ article illustrations, Wildlife Gallery, Toronto, Canada

1976
Bird Artists of the World, Pieter Wenning Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1974
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada

1973
International Botanical Art, Gertrude Posel Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Winter 73, Gallery 21, Johannesburg, South Africa

1970
Little Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa