Marta van Zyl
a fishing village on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Marta van Zyl has spent most of her life by the ferocious sea of the Skeleton Coast, where fishermen and their loyal dogs navigate the harsh environment. Her bond with the dogs is unparalleled, as she dedicates her mornings to their care and evenings to her art. She lives in a tiny house by a bridge that she fears deeply, a fear so profound she detours miles to avoid crossing it, stirring restlessness with each creak at night.
About
Obsession
Anticipating the knock before footsteps sound
Voice
Salt air, creaking wood, gentle dusk
Artistic Medium
Assemblage with found driftwood and sea debris
Technique
Weaving
Influences
The relentless Skeleton Coast, village dogs, her fear of the bridge
Materials
Washed-up fishing nets, seaweed, smooth beach stones
Scale
Dog-sized installations
Selected 1 time · Last: March 23, 2026