My formal introduction to art started in 1979 when I enrolled at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town.
South Africa was undergoing a painful change, struggling to escape from the shackles of apartheid which were threatening to destroy its infant democracy.
As the country battled to come to terms with this, I found myself, as a young photographer, overwhelmed with conflicting images of violence, hope and despair. Despite all the chaos which seemed to surround me, I was able, over the years, to create a portfolio of photographs which did finally reflect a nations dream to be free.
Sculpture.
There was a natural tendency to gravitate towards creating steel sculptures, born from my earlier engineering experiences and relationship with my family roots in the gold mining industry of the Witwatersrand.
My welding skills developed initially from creating simple functional art forms using soft, mild steel into the more complex stainless sculptures with the Tungsten Inert Gas or TIG process.
A considerable amount of time and energy is expended in creating one of these sculptures as the material is extremely hard and unyielding. The recent concept of having the originals cast into a limited edition of bronzes has produced an entirely new range. The raw energy of the welding process creates abstract textures in the metal which is further enriched in the bronze castings with the addition of subtle colour tones in the final patina.
My inspiration and ideas are drawn directly from frequent excursions into the African bushveld and other remote wilderness areas. This provides an opportunity to reflect, observe and record.
Although my sculptures are a personal interpretation and to a certain extent represent objects of beauty, I hope the underlying metaphor will illuminate the desperate need to conserve and protect our natural heritage areas from further extermination.
The Road Ahead.
I intend to re-exhibit some of my earlier photographic projects and update this site regularly with new work so please return frequently.
Please also visit my blog site MyFineArtPortfolio This site offers a platform for your comments on each individual post, technical aspects to my work and much more.
My current exhibition of bronze sculptures can be viewed at Gullane Art Gallery, 8 Stanley Road, Gullane, East Lothian Scotland.
I have been selected to exhibit for the Society of Wildlife Artists at the Mall Gallery, Carlton House Terrace, London starting on the 22nd September until the 4th October 2009
Thank you for visiting my gallery, please sign the guest book and leave a comment or contact me should you require further assistance.
