Discover the Art of Encaustic — Demonstration Day

As a fine art horse photographer, Esther finds one of the most moving sights in the world to be a horse running free; an expression of pure freedom, spirit, and beauty. This sense of wild, emotive abandonment is what first drew her to photography and continues to fuel her creative journey. Horses stir something deep within us, embodying a connection to nature that feels both powerful and fragile. Esther’s work is rooted in a deep care for the natural world, particularly the landscapes where wild and rare native breed horses live. She believes that art connects on an emotional level and has the power to spark awareness and inspire people to look beyond themselves. Through her photography, she captures the beauty and vulnerability of these animals in their natural environments, hoping to highlight their importance and the need to protect their future.

Anchen Bamford is a contemporary South African artist, self-taught and deeply intuitive in her approach. Her work is rooted in visual storytelling; capturing the quiet resilience, beauty, and connection between people, animals, and land. Drawing from her own journey and lived experiences, Anchen explores the emotional landscapes of heritage, belonging, and the untold human stories that shape the world around us.

Her art sits at the intersection of creativity and social activism. Through painting, she gives voice to stories often left unheard, from displaced communities to women rebuilding their lives after trauma. She believes in art as a catalyst for healing and transformation, but also as a mirror – a way for people to see themselves, their stories, and their worth reflected back. Her work invites connection, stirs emotion, and remains deeply accessible to all who encounter it.

Over the years, Anchen has told stories from places such as Freedom Park, District Six, Muizenberg, and refugee camps in South Africa. She founded the nonprofit Pretty Pride to support women and children through art, and has collaborated with organisations like the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, and various youth leadership programmes. Her work also bridges into the business and charity sectors, using art to help individuals and teams reconnect with vision, identity, and resilience.

Currently based in Cheshire and exhibiting at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre as part of the Visual Artists Association’s Global Art Trail, Anchen continues to explore what it means to belong, through people’s connection to land, to one another, and to story. Her upcoming projects include a powerful international storytelling series focused on women and children across cultures, as well as conservation-focused collaborations with South African nature reserves exploring heritage through the legacy of the rhino.