The Velvet Horizon

THE COLLECTION BY RIAZ

A place to linger.
A world to discover.

Some works of art fill a wall. Others change the way a room feels. The Velvet Horizon invites you into a world where colour holds emotion, familiar forms reveal unexpected character, and a single painted moment can open into something deeply personal. This is a space to linger, to look again, and to discover what draws you closer.

In this collection by Riaz, a woman emerges through ribbons of fearless colour; geometric forms challenge the certainty of the eye; animals offer moments of companionship and quiet presence. Elsewhere, a solitary tree reaches into a luminous blue. Different subjects, different energies, each offering its own invitation to see beyond the obvious.

There is no prescribed route through this gallery. Begin with the work that stops you. Follow a colour, a feeling, a memory. Somewhere between the artwork and your own imagination, a connection begins. Welcome to The Velvet Horizon.

Explore the exhibition

A visualisation of The Velvet Horizon gallery featuring Riaz’s colourful portrait and blue tree artwork
An imagined setting for an encounter with art.

THE OPENING EXHIBITION

The Art of Being

Six works. Six distinct encounters. Follow the one that speaks to you.

The Maverick Woman: a woman in profile surrounded by sweeping pink, yellow, blue and purple forms

ACRYLIC

The Maverick Woman

Not every woman is meant to fit the frame. The Maverick Woman celebrates the freedom to define oneself: to stand apart, occupy space and meet the world without apology. Rendered in acrylic, this work invites a personal encounter with individuality, and with the quiet audacity of becoming who you are.

The Still Point Between: opposing multicoloured triangular forms and a central red circle on grey

The Still Point Between

Colour advances from opposing edges, yet the red circle holds its ground. Between movement and restraint, this composition creates a charged moment of balance: not the absence of tension, but the ability to remain centred within it. What first appears divided becomes a conversation across an open space.

The Architecture of Paradox: two connected angular geometric forms drawn with fine lines and shading

The Architecture of Paradox

Two angular forms meet, their shifting planes inviting the eye to build, question and rebuild what it sees. Spare lines and measured shadows create a world that feels both precise and elusive. Here, certainty gives way to curiosity, and looking becomes an act of discovery.

Sovereign of the Quiet Hour: a reclining striped cat with an alert gaze

Sovereign of the Quiet Hour

Reclining with an effortless sense of ownership, this feline presence turns an ordinary pause into a study of character. Striped contours, an alert gaze and an unhurried pose suggest a creature entirely at home in its own company. Some forms of confidence never need to announce themselves.

Where You Lead, I Belong: two horses standing close together in a softly shaded drawing

Where You Lead, I Belong

Two horses stand close, their overlapping forms creating a quiet rhythm of companionship. The larger presence and its smaller counterpart suggest reassurance without restraint: the comfort of moving through the world beside another. A gentle reflection on trust, belonging and the strength of staying close.

The Blue Between Storms: a dark branching tree against expressive luminous blue and grey

The Blue Between Storms

A dark trunk rises through a restless field of blue, its branches reaching into light without surrendering their strength. There is movement in the surrounding colour and resolve in the tree itself. The work holds those energies together: the world in motion, and something within it choosing to remain rooted.

Through Riaz’s eyes

Riaz is an artist inspired by the quiet beauty and powerful presence of the natural world. Through his paintings of waterfalls, trees, forests, and scenic landscapes, he invites viewers to pause, look a little closer, and reconnect with the beauty that surrounds us.

His work explores the relationship between colour, light, texture, and emotion. A waterfall becomes a symbol of movement and renewal. A tree reflects strength and endurance. A peaceful landscape offers a moment of stillness in a busy world.

Each painting is an opportunity to see nature through Riaz’s eyes, not simply as a scene to admire, but as an experience to feel. His hope is that every artwork finds a home where it brings beauty, inspiration, and a lasting sense of connection to the natural world.

Find the work that stays with you.

Request a viewing

Some connections with art deserve to happen in person. Visit The Velvet Horizon in Glen Marais, Johannesburg, and experience the colour, texture and presence of the collection beyond the screen. Close to O. R. Tambo International Airport, the gallery is conveniently located for visitors arriving in or departing from Johannesburg. Contact us to arrange a suitable viewing time and tell us which works have caught your eye.

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