Cape Argus E-dition

Nature meets culture at Africa’s largest sculpture fair

KEDIBONE MODISE

WITH over 200 sculptures on show, the fourth edition of SculptX offers visitors a glimpse into the different artistic approaches being applied to sculptural works.

The fair was established by The Melrose Gallery in 2017 in association with Melrose Arch and will be on display across multiple venues until October 24.

“With the cancellation of many art fairs and larger shows over the last two years, we felt it is important that we present SculptX this year despite the challenges.

“We expect that SculptX will be even more special and will generate extensive interest this year as it is a positive expression of the art sectors’ desire to continue to create and present their works despite the pandemic,” said Craig Marks, director and founder of the Melrose Gallery.

“We have decided to also present the exhibition online this year so as to give larger audiences, many of whom will be unable to visit the show, a chance to experience it and to acquire works.

“There is a strong global demand for Pan African contemporary art and we expect that SculptX will benefit from being able to expose the works to these audiences online. Our viewing room also allows us to present much engaging information on the artists and their work in the form of photography, videos and texts, which will allow viewers a deeper understanding of the works,” he said.

A number of artists participating in this year’s fair are pushing the boundaries of sculpture in interesting ways. The recent popularity and interest in ceramic art has infiltrated this year’s edition, with clay works by Nindya Bucktowar and Chuma Maweni standing out.

“Clay is an elemental material with an ancestral link to our evolution as a species,” revealed Bucktowar.

Maweni is interested in delving into historical vernaculars. His pitfired clay works are created using the same techniques used by Nguni tribes before him, though his end-product appears like contemporary abstract forms.

Sandile Radebe also evokes African culture in his abstract sculptures which are intended to echo the iziqhaza, the earplugs used to adorn the sliced earlobes in the isiZulu tradition of Ukuklekla.

“These knowledge systems which include the medicinal properties of herbs are the fascination of my recent works whereby I extrapolate coded messages, scripts and beautification of the Zulu material culture towards an artistic end,” explained Radebe.

Established artists including Anton Smit, Botha, Willie Bester, Pitika Ntuli, Andre Stead and Strijdom van der Merwe, will showcase alongside a younger set of artists such as Sophie Van Wyk, Bucktowar, Mandy Johnston and Kenneth Shandu.

Female artists are represented strongly in the fair with works by well-known artists such as Noria Mabasa, Wilma Cruise, Elizabeth Balcomb and Ledelle Moe, among many others, “dispelling the myth that sculpture is primarily the preserve of male artists”.

“We have put much effort into sourcing female and young artists from the previously disadvantaged communities to give them the benefit of this valuable platform as they are often overlooked and under-represented in this genre,” added Marks.

SculptX runs until 24 October 2021 at Melrose Gallery, Melrose Arch, Diamond Walk.

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2021-10-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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African News Agency