OUR STORY

ABOUT US

œuvre is an organisation dedicated to democratising access to curated, collectible contemporary art for a new generation of collectors. We collaborate with Pan-African artists to develop archival-quality artworks at attainable price points, ensuring that every acquisition supports living artists and nurtures sustainable creative careers across the continent.

Each œuvre piece is a result of deep collaboration. We work closely with artists to understand their practice, market, and long-term goals. Together, we create editions and commissions that complement their vision and broaden access to their work. Artists are paid for every acquisition and are empowered with contractual protection, transparent finances, and broader professional support.

œuvre is more than an art platform—it’s a space of connection, kinship, and storytelling. By amplifying the voices of Pan-African artists and offering flexible, person-first acquisition models, we aim to reimagine how value is assigned to art and expand the future of collecting. Every artwork is a labour of love—and an investment in culture, community, and creative possibility.

A COMMITMENT TO COLLECTORS

At œuvre, we are committed to making the world of Pan-African contemporary art accessible, transparent, and inspiring. We offer exceptional artworks at attainable prices, with flexible payment plans and free shipping on orders over R1800. We believe in creating a collecting experience that feels easy and rewarding, placing a strong focus on price transparency by providing a clear, upfront breakdown of all acquisition-related costs.

'OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND BEAUTY'

'Our interactions with œuvre have been thoroughly enjoyable and informative. Camilla’s extensive knowledge of art, in conjunction with her stylish flair, enable her to suggest on pointe artworks that complement and enhance our home. The pieces we have sourced via œuvre are of the highest quality and beauty.'

LISA A. (CAPE TOWN, SA)

'A brand that finally felt accessible to me and aligns with my values.'

'It felt rewarding to start my collection with a brand that finally felt accessible to me and aligns with my values. Thank you to Camilla for your care - you made me feel seen in the art-buying process.'

TSHEPO N. (HOWICK, SA)

'smooth and good quality service all round.'

'I ordered a print from oeuvre and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Their commitment to provide access to a variety of different collections is also evident in the commitment and care to providing smooth and good quality service all round. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to access interesting and good quality art prints!'

ELLA T. (JOBURG, SA)

'FABULOUS CONCEPT AND EXPERIENCE'

'What a fabulous concept and experience! I acquired a beautiful photograph and had it framed all in one go.'

TINA V. (JOBURG, SA)

'SUPER EASY TO USE AND I LOVE MY ARTWORK'

'Had a great time browsing the site. Was super easy to use and I love my artwork.'

NALEDI S. (PRETORIA, SA)

'THIS REALLY DID THE THING'

'What a sick vibe! Been looking for art I can afford and this is really did the thing.'

ADAM G. (GQEBERHA, SA)

A COMMITMENT TO ARTISTS

At œuvre, artists come first. We are proudly artist-driven, championing the economic sustainability of artists' careers and actively working toward greater equity in the arts. We build real support systems - through knowledge-sharing platforms, financial transparency, and fair, contractually protected agreements - designed to empower artists and protect their futures. Our drive is clear: to create a more ethical, sustainable, and equitable art world, one artist at a time. Image courtesy of the artist. Cr. Hayden Phipps

GOAL #1: REIMAGINE

We’re part of a new art wave for the next generation collector – where great art should be attainable without the hefty price tag.

Goal #2: AMPLIFY

œuvre is more than a platform – it’s a space to connect with the stories, visions, and voices of pioneering Pan-African artists.

Goal #3: EMPOWER

œuvre’s model aims to support the financial security of artists by creating a more consistent income stream to sustain them in between projects, ultimately making more room for creativity.

Goal #4: ARCHIVE

Posters have long documented social and creative movements in history. Over time, œuvre hopes to build an archive for the purposes of cultural documentation.

FOUNDER's statement

Dear Reader,


If you have reached this part of our website, I want to thank you for your time and consideration. I am delighted to welcome you here! 

For a bit of context, my name is Camilla van Hoogstraten and I have been working the South African art industry for over six years. I am the founder of oeuvreart.com and œuvre projects, platforms that specialise in promoting emerging and mid-career independent artists, with the ultimate goal of creating more equity in the arts.

Through my experience, I have had the privilege of connecting with innumerable art lovers, collectors and artists both locally (in SA) and internationally. It has been inspiring and invigorating, and I remain eternally grateful for the connections that I have forged with like-minded individuals through art.

The art industry, like any other, is not without its challenges. Working in both a gallery setting and in an online sphere, I noticed that many art lovers weren't able to collect and live with meaningful works by artists that they connected with, largely as a result of price barriers. Prices also often restricted the sizes of the works that many collectors could afford. As a result of these barriers to entry, people started acquiring art from department stores for their homes without realising that these works do not yield any benefits for artists or the artistic community. 

Every acquisition matters for artists on the continent, particularly bearing in mind that a large proportion of artists grapple with financial instability. In South Africa, patronage is hard to come by and we receive little-no government funding for the industry at large. For these reasons, artists really struggle to pursue their creative practice as a full time career and finances inhibit the capacity to create. 

Enter 2024: œuvre was born in order to provide greater access to quality, contemporary art, while encouraging more people to invest in artists and their success. Our model seeks to facilitate a more consistent income stream for artists in between projects in a responsible manner - a manner informed by experience that seeks to honour their broader practice and market.

I hope to encourage people to collect outside of 'trends' and to rather focus on value-driven collecting. By collecting or promoting art based on 'trends', particularly in the context of African art, we can unintentionally reinforce systems that have ignored, dismissed and actively erased marginalised voices for centuries. African art is not a trend - the continent has a wealth and breadth of knowledge, skill, and ideas that should form the foundation of a sustainable industry. I was particularly drawn to art posters, as posters have long documented social and creative movements in history. Over time, we hope to build an archive that captures the zeitgeist of our ever-evolving present.

Art holds the power to inspire, to unite, to transform, and I believe that its magic deserves to be shared with as many people as possible. I want to work towards more inclusive, community-oriented art world that centres and protects artists - the great minds, and out-of-the-box-thinkers - of our time.

Thank you for reading - I hope that we shall meet soon!

Warmest wishes,

Camilla (Mother œuvre)

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