About


ig: @riley.axon
in: @riley.axon
e: hello@rileyaxon.com
d.o.b. 01/08/1996
n: South African
l: English [fluent]
l: Afrikaans [fluent]
l: German [learning]


Currently based in  Cape Town, moving to Berlin [ASAP].
Available globally.

Riley Axon is a visual artist working across film, photography, graphic design, and painting. Their practice is driven by curiosity, using image-making to build visual worlds and explore themes of identity, belonging, and queerness.

Alongside an artistic practice, Riley works within the film industry, collaborating with directors and production teams across commercial and cultural projects.

Whether filming content, shaping a visual system, or creating a standalone artwork, the focus remains on clarity of idea, strong visual language, and work that feels human, textured, and considered.



CV

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Work Experience
- In-house Creative,
Robot,
Cape Town,
2023 - 2026

  • Contributed to the creative development of commercial and cultural film projects through research and treatments.
  • Produced pitch decks, storyboards, and AI-assisted visualisations.
  • Captured and edited BTS content for social and promotional use.
  • Supported production teams with location research, decks and presentation materials.

- Retail store manager,
at Duck Duck Goose,
Cape Town, 2022 - 2023.

Tasks included: 
  • Day-to-day store operations.
  • Trained store staff.
  • Managed inventory.
  • Drove sales.
  • Handled customer enquiries and issues.

- Factory manager,
at The Art Room,
Johannesburg, 2021 - 2022.

Tasks include: 
  • Directed and oversaw all daily production operations ensuring timely outputs and high-quality standards.
  • Provided leadership, training and performance guidance.
  • Planned and coordinated production schedules.
  • Implemented and enforced safety and quality control procedures.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., supply, maintenance, gallery staff) to ensure seamless operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
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Education
- AI Filmmaking Course,
Curious Refuge, 2025.
AI-assisted storytelling, storyboarding, and post-production workflows.

- Graphic Design,
Academy of Digital Arts, 2022.
- Concept-led visual communication and design fundamentals.

- Business Acumen for Artists,
Cape Town Creative Academy, 2022.
- Pricing, contracts, and soft skills needed for a creative practice.

- Human Resource Management Boland College & CPUT, 2019.
- Training in people management, organisational behaviour, labour relations, and performance development, with a focus on leadership, communication, and building healthy, functional teams.


[*]

Software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Premiere Pro
  • Runway
  • Nano Banana Pro
  • Figma

[*]

Group Exhibitions- Snag and Sleigh,
Snag Gallery,
Cape Town, 2025. 

- Walk with me,
ArtBankSA, 
virtual (artist-led), 2024.

- Intimate histories,
Latitudes Online, 
virtual, 2023.

- Together,
AVA Gallery, 
Cape Town, 2022. 

- Blue Tape series,
P72, 
Johannesburg, 2021.

[*]

Solo Exhibitions
- R.A.W.,
Kitsune, 
Arist-led, 
Cape Town, 2024.

- 100% Design x Decorex Joburg,
Showcase, 2023.


- It doesn’t have to be this way,
Artist-led,
Johannesburg, 2021.


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Collaborations
- NISH x Cape Town Furniture Week,
Cape Town, 2024.

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Graphic Design ProjectsTHE UN/INVITED [PODCAST IDENTITY]
ONCE UPON A TIME IN JOBURG 2025 [MUSIC FESTIVAL]
ONCE UPON A TIME IN JOBURG 2024 [MUSIC FESTIVAL]
CAPE TOWN INDIE FILM FESTIVAL [FILM FESTIVAL]
DECOREX [SHOWCASE]
SPACE FOR THEM+ [BRAND IDENTITY]
BENT [CARD DECK][PRINT MEDIA]

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Social Media DesignsPUMA MASTRO
CLOWNING AROUND
STYLIST APPROVED
WARANA EH x NANCY AJRAM
VANS x LITTLE SIMZ
BRAMLEY x ROBOT
35MM ECONOMY
GENTLE LOVE
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Awards & Publications- Dazed Clubbers share their photo stories from 2025, Dazed Digital, 2025.

- PESP4 Program art funding program, ArtBankSA x IZIKO National Museum, 2024.

- Design Indaba Emerging Creative,
Design Indaba, 2023.


- PESP4 Program art funding program,
ArtBankSA x IZIKO National Museum, 2023.

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Portfolio AI
Graphic Design Projects
Directors Treatments
Video Content
Download Film CV