Mavis Schneider, born in 1946 in Johannesburg, is a South African artist whose evocative oil paintings reflect the deep cultural heritage of her traditional Jewish upbringing. Although her passion for art began in her youth, Mavis only began formal art training later in life, enrolling at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1999 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, formally launching her artistic career. Mavis’s work is deeply influenced by her memories of family, tradition, and the spiritual narratives of her heritage. Her paintings, often drawing inspiration from the symbolic imagery of Marc Chagall, explore themes of identity, faith, and the passage of time. Primarily working in oil on canvas, Mavis has a passion for portraiture, also working in ink and graphite.
