The African Queen collection
The Sisters of Eight, African Queen paintings by Martin Osner
Eight portraits of African women, painted by Martin Osner as a family of sisters. Each sister has her own name, and each name carries a meaning. The series is also known as Tshazile, She Who Shines.
- Painted and soldSix sisters
- On the easel nowThe seventh sister
- Open for commissionThe eighth sister
The story
How the Sisters of Eight began
The collection began with three identical sisters, Zinhle, Thandiwe and Ayanda. From there the family grew, one portrait at a time, to eight sisters, each with a character of her own.
Every sister carries a name from isiZulu or isiXhosa, chosen for its meaning. Zinhle means “they are beautiful”, Lindiwe “the one we have been waiting for”, and Inathi, the firstborn, “they are with us”.
The portraits are painted in acrylic and ink, some on canvas and some on metal, and they are among the original paintings visitors most often come to Osner Gallery to see.
The six painted sisters
Meet the sisters, and what their names mean
All six painted sisters now live with collectors. Their stories continue in the celebration prints, and in the two sisters still to come.
Zinhle
Acrylic and ink on metal, 75 × 95cm.
Sold
Thandiwe
The shy, thoughtful sister. Acrylic and ink on canvas, 60 × 78cm.
Sold
Ayanda
Acrylic and ink on canvas, 92 × 74cm.
Sold
Lindiwe
Acrylic and ink on canvas, 92 × 74cm.
Sold
Sibahle
Acrylic and ink on canvas, 106 × 85cm.
Sold
Inathi
The firstborn. Acrylic and ink on metal, 85 × 106cm.
SoldThe seventh sister
The seventh sister is on the easel now
The seventh portrait has been commissioned by a collector, and Martin Osner is painting her now. She is due to be finished in October 2026, and only then will she be given her name.
The eighth sister
One sister is still to be painted
The eighth portrait is open for commission, for a collector who would like to complete the family with a sister of their own. It starts with a conversation, in the gallery in Hout Bay or on Zoom.
Celebration prints
Celebration prints of the sold sisters
When an original is sold, it stays part of the story. A celebration print lets you bring one of the sold sisters home, in one of two sizes.
- 30 × 36cmR2,900
- 85 × 70cm, including borderR9,500
This is a print of a sold original. It carries the printed signature from the original and is not signed by the artist.
Before you ask
Questions about the Sisters of Eight
Osner Gallery is at 14 Luisa Way, Hout Bay, twenty minutes from Cape Town. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. Sunday by appointment, booked the day before. Plan your visit.
Can I buy an original Sisters of Eight painting?
The six painted sisters are sold, and the seventh has been commissioned. The eighth sister is open for commission, and celebration prints of the sold sisters come in two sizes.
What is the Tshazile collection?
Tshazile, She Who Shines, is another name for the Sisters of Eight, Martin Osner’s family of eight African Queen portraits.
What are the paintings made with?
Acrylic and ink. Zinhle and Inathi are painted on metal, and Thandiwe, Ayanda, Lindiwe and Sibahle on canvas.
Is a celebration print signed?
No. A celebration print carries the signature from the original, printed as part of the image. It is never signed by hand, so it can always be told apart from the original.
Are Nobuhle and The Golden Girls part of the Sisters of Eight?
No. Nobuhle, The Golden Girls and Timeless Africa belong to Martin Osner’s wider African portrait work. See his original paintings.
When will the seventh sister be named?
When she is finished. She is due in October 2026, and her name will be added here.