Gabriella Tobler standing in her studio viewing a salon-style installation of colorful artworks including prints, digital screens, and mixed media pieces

Viewing Room

THE ABOMINABLE MYSTERY

A collection of works by Gabriella Tobler

Cape Town · Michaelis School of Fine Art · December 5th – 13th 2025

This viewing room presents works exploring the tension between what is known and what remains uncertain in the natural world. Through preserved plants, digital translations, print media, laser-cut papers, and sculptures, these pieces examine how natural and artificial systems intertwine, mutate, and evolve.

We invite you to scroll slowly, to linger with each work as a specimen, and to question what is organic and what is fabricated.

Passiflora edulis by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Passiflora edulis, 2025

Digital Perspex prints, mounted on mirror Perspex with aluminium wall mounts

90 × 100 × 5 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 3 650
Kniphofia uvaria by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Kniphofia uvaria, 2025

Digital Perspex prints, mounted on mirror Perspex with aluminium wall mounts

90 × 100 × 5 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 3 650
Cactaceae by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Cactaceae, 2025

Digital Perspex prints, mounted on mirror Perspex with aluminium wall mounts

90 × 100 × 5 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 3 650
Chasmanthe Bulb Husk by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Chasmanthe Bulb Husk, 2025

Laser-cut paper, pigment, and mixed media on board

29 × 24 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 850
Aloe Maculata by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe Maculata, 2025

Dried plant specimens, wire, and mixed media on canvas

31 × 47 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 750
Aloe Maculata Buds by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe Maculata Buds, 2025

Dried flower buds and yellow tape on canvas

50 × 30 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Bromeliad Script by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Bromeliad Script, 2025

Dried plant specimens on canvas

62 × 92 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 1 200
Humanity and Manipulation by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Humanity and Manipulation, 2025

Organic cross-sections in wax on metal tray

26 × 36 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Figure Scans by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Figure Scans, 2025

Monotype on fluorescent paper

62 × 50 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Synthetic Hide by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Synthetic Hide, 2025

Faux fur, cow tag, and mixed media on board

79 × 12 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
Lungwort Lichen (Laser Cutout) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Lungwort Lichen (Laser Cutout), 2025

Laser-cut paper, faux fleece, and mixed media

42 × 42 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Foliose Lichen (Laser Cutout) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Foliose Lichen (Laser Cutout), 2025

Laser-cut aluminium, faux fleece, and cattle ear tag

42 × 57 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 650
Senecio Barbertonicus Sliced and Preserved by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Senecio Barbertonicus Sliced and Preserved, 2025

Senecio barbertonicus cross-sections on paper in acrylic frame

38 × 50 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 850
Ficus Natalensis by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Ficus Natalensis, 2025

Digital prints on acetate

21 × 30 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 550

The works gathered here emerge from the tension between what is known and what remains uncertain in the natural world. Charles Darwin's concept of the 'Abominable Mystery'—referring to the missing fossil records in early evolutionary theory—provides a powerful metaphor for this exhibition.

Capsicum Inversion by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Capsicum Inversion, 2025

Digital prints on acetate

21 × 30 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 350
Protea Pappus Achene by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Protea Pappus Achene, 2025

Dried achenes, glass eyes, and acrylic on canvas

42 × 60 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Aloe Eye I by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe Eye I, 2025

Laser-cut paper, dried aloe, glass eye, and mixed media

30 × 46 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 800
Aloe Eye II by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe Eye II, 2025

Dried aloe roots and glass eye

Variable dimensions

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Aloe Eye III by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe Eye III, 2025

Dried aloe roots and glass eye

Variable dimensions

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Ficus Natalensis Code by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Ficus Natalensis Code, 2025

Dried botanical specimens on canvas

62 × 92 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 1 200
Protea Stigma by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Protea Stigma, 2025

Dried protea stigmas on paper canvas

42 × 60 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 550
Protea Stigma Experiment by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Protea Stigma Experiment, 2025

Dried protea stigmas, paper, and masking tape

17 × 17 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
Look at Me by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Look at Me, 2025

Glass eyes, dried plant specimens on paper canvas

42 × 57 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 650
Untitled by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Untitled, 2025

Monotype, glass eyes, and mixed media on paper

21 × 30 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
Perianth by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Perianth, 2025

Plant specimens on translucent paper

29 × 42 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Table Bay by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Table Bay, 2025

Monotype on paper

37 × 50 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600

This 'Mystery' manifests in how natural and artificial systems intertwine, mutate, and evolve through material, colour and repetition. Each representation within this space is a combination of organic and synthetic materials, building on Darwin's theory both materially and conceptually.

Operculum I by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Operculum I, 2025

Laser-cut painted paper

25 × 28 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Operculum II (Cutout) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Operculum II (Cutout), 2025

Laser-cut painted paper

20 × 15 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Operculum III (Investigation) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Operculum III (Investigation), 2025

Mixed media, lichen specimens, and handwritten notes on paper

30 × 32 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
Invasive by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Invasive, 2025

Monotype on vintage anatomy textbook pages

35 × 25 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 550
Bromeliad Experimentation by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Bromeliad Experimentation, 2025

Monotype print with natural pigments on paper

21 × 29 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
Chasmanthe Husk Cut Out by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Chasmanthe Husk Cut Out, 2025

Laser-cut paper on vintage impressionist print

24 × 29 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 450
Reroll by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Reroll, 2025

Monotype print on fluorescent yellow paper

50 × 63 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Untitled (Burgundy) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Untitled (Burgundy), 2025

Botanical monotype on painted paper

70 × 32 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Zizania I by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania I, 2025

Monotype print on dyed paper

45 × 63 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Zizania II (Blue) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania II (Blue), 2025

Monotype print on paper

60 × 42 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600

The studio functions as a laboratory, wherein observation, experimentation and failure have become intrinsic to making. Each piece works as a specimen in a larger space of working research.

Zizania III (Tests) by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania III (Tests), 2025

Mixed media monotype on ultramarine paper

42 × 60 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 900
Zizania Shadow by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania Shadow, 2025

Monotype print with dried plant specimen on paper

21 × 29 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 300
Zizania Blocksheet by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania Blocksheet, 2025

Layered monotype and screenprint on paper

70 × 79 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Zizania Radio Graft by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Zizania Radio Graft, 2025

Monotype on translucent paper

70 × 20 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Situ by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Situ, 2025

Monotype and botanical specimens on paper

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Bella by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Bella, 2025

Botanical monotype on paper

60 × 42 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Stanley by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Stanley, 2025

Botanical monotype on painted paper in Japanese Cedar frame

51 × 68 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 800
Ghost by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Ghost, 2025

Monotype on paper

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Foliose Lichen Preserved by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Foliose Lichen Preserved, 2025

Preserved lichen specimen in fluorescent acrylic frame

45 × 45 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 700
Old Man's Beard by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Old Man's Beard, 2025

Preserved Usnea lichen in fluorescent acrylic frame

33 × 48 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 650

The use of colour and fluorescence within these works acts as a visual language connecting to scientific testing, while evoking the synthetic and estranged. These visual decisions parallel the conceptual interplay within the exhibition, holding space for the relationship between preservation and decay.

I Got My Ears Pierced at 13 by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

I Got My Ears Pierced at 13, 2025

Silicone ear cast, cattle ear tag, on paper canvas board

13 × 26 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 300
Sounds of the Ocean by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Sounds of the Ocean, 2025

Silicone ear casts, seashells, coral fragments, and wax in metal tray

37 × 26 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 400
1st Edition by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

1st Edition, 2025

Laser engraving on canvas

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 700
My Favourite by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

My Favourite, 2025

Monotype on paper in Japanese Cedar frame

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 800
Hiding in Plain Sight by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Hiding in Plain Sight, 2025

Monotype on paper in Japanese Cedar frame

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 600
Foliose Lichen Offcut by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Foliose Lichen Offcut, 2025

Laser-cut paper

32 × 54 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Mandy by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Mandy, 2025

Dried flower specimens on paper canvas

12 × 92 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Aloe It by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Aloe It, 2025

Dried aloe leaves, cattle ear tags with glass eyes

24 × 88 × 20 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 650
Fieldwork Organic Findings I by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Fieldwork Organic Findings I, 2025

Monotype print on paper

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 450
Fieldwork Organic Findings III by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Fieldwork Organic Findings III, 2025

Monotype print on paper

42 × 59 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 450
Lungwort Lichen Engraving by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Lungwort Lichen Engraving, 2025

Engraving and mixed media on art paper

29 × 24 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 500
Fieldwork Organic Findings II by Gabriella Tobler

Gabriella Tobler

Fieldwork Organic Findings II, 2025

Monotype print on paper

70 × 48 cm

Available
Current Bid: R 450

About the Artist

Gabriella Tobler wearing a colorful patchwork jacket

My name is Gabriella Tobler — welcome to my weird and wonderful creations! My childhood was spent in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2022 to pursue my artistic career at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town. It was there that I discovered my love for print media and began my journey into the world of printmaking. The natural world is deeply interesting to me, and much of my work is driven by environmental and ecological concerns. My work has an avid use of colour, plant specimens, and paper. Fieldwork is an essential part of my artistic practice, so you'll often find me exploring all kinds of natural environments. This is only the beginning, and I hope you'll join me on this marvellous journey!

Biography

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa

Education

Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town (2022–present)

Focus

Printmaking, plant specimens, colour, and environmental ecology

Practice

Emerging artist with works exploring science, art, and imagination

Contact

For enquiries, commissions, or collaborations, please get in touch.