Carol Cauldwell South African, b. 1968
In my work I deconstruct that which bothers me and then make a critical comment, using fairy-tales, wordplay, nursery rhymes, illustration and icons, in the hope that I will be able to create some sort of resonance be it positive or negative in whoever engages in the work. I try to use familiar visual images and arrange them into conceptually layered pieces. I have worked in ceramics and wood, but prefer to work in bronze. I like the permenence and durability of it. I am keenly aware of its durability in time, and try to use a universal subject matter rather than a topical one which with date quickly.
Carol Caudwell was born in Germiston in 1968 and grew up in the beautiful surroundings of Magaliesburg. Inspired by her Father’s love for art, she joined the Johannesburg school of Art, Ballet, Drama and Music, first specialising in music and then changing over to art.
My artwork takes on a critical view of social, political and cultural issues conveyed in a sarcastic, satirical and humorous way. I struggle with injustice in any form and my artwork has become a therapeutic tool for me to work through these issues.
-
Form as a Carrier of Memory
Art of Contemporary Africa at Art Palm Beach 26 Jan - 1 Feb 2026Taking inspiration from Jhumpa Lahiri’s reflections on what endures beyond explanation, Form as a Carrier of Memory is a curated exhibition presented by The Melrose Gallery at Art Palm Beach. The presentation features works by Esther Mahlangu, Clint Strydom, Samuel Allerton, Gavin Rain, and Carol Cauldwell, bringing together leading voices in contemporary African art.Read more
Spanning painting, photography, and sculpture, the exhibition explores how memory, perception, and material form hold meaning beyond narrative or event. Rather than dramatic storytelling, these works emphasize pattern, surface, rhythm, and duration, allowing meaning to emerge through sustained looking. Each artist approaches form as a vessel of memory, where visual language carries emotional and historical resonance.
By foregrounding abstraction, image construction, and sculptural presence, the exhibition highlights how contemporary artists engage with time, stillness, and embodied perception. Form as a Carrier of Memory invites viewers to slow down, look closely, and experience how the unknown persists through form. -
The Melrose Gallery’s debut at Atlanta Art Fair 2025
A powerful debut Pan-African presentation highlighting distinctive artistic voices across media & generations 25 Sep - 31 Oct 2025The Melrose Gallery debuts at Atlanta Art FairRead more -
The Alchemy of Colour
A Winter Group Exhibition at The Melrose Gallery 10 Jun - 18 Aug 2025In The Alchemy of Colour, The Melrose Gallery presents a selection of colour-driven works by bold voices in contemporary African art.The exhibition presents a large number of artists from The...Read more -
A FRECKLE PAST A ‘HARE’
Carol Cauldwell 3 - 28 Aug 2022We take pleasure in presenting A Freckle Past a ‘Hare’, Carol Cauldwell’s first solo with The Melrose Gallery, on the 4 to 28 August as part of our Womxn’s Month...Read more
