SculptX
The largest annual sculpture fair in the country
6 September - 2 NOVEMBER 2024
This fair was conceived in response to the increased number of artists adopting this genre in response to the global demand for sculpture. This has translated into the establishment of several outdoor sculpture parks in the country by a number of art foundations and artists primarily working in this medium. “SculptX provides much benefit to those who live, work, and play in the Melrose Arch precinct but also to the artists in terms of exposure and revenue and collectors who wait all year for such a varied and diverse selection to choose from”, adds Craig Mark.
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Nestled in the heart of Melrose Arch, The Melrose Gallery plays host to SculptX, the largest annual sculpture fair in the country. Every year, this prestigious event transforms the gallery and Melrose Arch urban precinct into a bustling hub of creativity, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors, and curious onlookers alike. As SculptX enters its seventh year, it promises once again to showcase a stunning array of sculptures, each one a testament to the boundless imagination and skill of its creators.
One of the most compelling aspects of SculptX is its inclusivity and diversity. The fair welcomes dozens of artists each year, who collectively present hundreds of sculptures. SculptX is also unique in that it specifically avoids setting a specific theme or brief as artists are free to express their creativity in any form and medium they choose. This results in a mesmerizing variety of sculptures ranging from pieces small enough to fit on your desk to monumental works that require cranes for installation.
The materials used in these sculptures are as varied as the artists themselves. From traditional mediums like bronze and marble to unconventional ones such as recycled materials and modern composites, SculptX is a celebration of artistic freedom. This diversity not only highlights the versatility of sculpture as an art form but also offers something for everyone, whether you prefer the classical or the avant-garde.
Reflecting on the past six years, SculptX has given us numerous unforgettable moments. One of the most impressive feats involved craning in three massive sculptures by Pitika Ntuli and Carol Cauldwell, each weighing a few tons. These colossal pieces were not just feats of artistic excellence but also engineering marvels, demonstrating the incredible scale and ambition of the fair.
The opening nights of SculptX are events in themselves, drawing thousands of visitors over the years. These openings typically have more than 300 people passing through the gallery doors on the first night alone. The buzz of excitement, the hum of conversation, and the collective awe as visitors take in the sculptures create an atmosphere of shared appreciation and wonder.
Without giving away too much, visitors to Melrose Arch this year will be treated to numerous monumental statures of figures in different poses created by Strijdom van der Merwe, the respected land artist, a captivating work by Alexander Stavvas titled Anemoi. Created from polished stainless-steel tubes. ‘Anemoi’, 2022 is laid out based on geometric patterns rooted in nature. The reflective and multi-faceted surface of the sculpture mirrors a warped version of its surrounding environment. As the kinetic energy of the wind passes through the intricately layered pipes it whistles and sings. An audible and optical manifestation of the air itself.
The many highlights of last year’s SculptX included the unveiling of two life-size samurai sculptures by Nicola Roos, which stood tall in the gallery, captivating viewers with their incredible detail and the inspiring story behind their creation. These pieces, along with others like the half-ton lion sculpture by Pierre Fourie and a life like bronze diver by Sarah Richards seemingly diving off the walls, has left an indelible mark on those who have experienced SculptX.
One year, the gallery ceiling was adorned with a giant rose, seemingly suspended in mid-air, adding a touch of whimsy and surreal beauty to the space. Such imaginative displays are a hallmark of SculptX, pushing the boundaries of what sculpture can be and how it can transform a space.
As we look forward to this year's fair, we can only anticipate the wonders that await. The seventh instalment of SculptX promises to continue its tradition of excellence, innovation, and sheer artistic brilliance. Whether you're a seasoned art collector, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who appreciates beauty and creativity, SculptX offers an experience that is both enriching and inspiring.
Join us at The Melrose Gallery in Melrose Arch from the 6th of September until the 3rd of November to witness the magic of SculptX. Immerse yourself in a world where imagination knows no bounds and where every sculpture tells a story. This year's fair is set to be a testament to the enduring power of art and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS SCULPTX 2024
Alan Ainslie, Alexander Savvas, André Stead, Arno Morland, Ayanda Mabulu, Ben Tuge, Bercia Roos, Carl Roberts, Carol Cauldwell, Catriona Towriss, Cecilia Wilmot Ballam, Chantal Coetzee, Chonat Getz, Clint Strydom, Collen Maswanganyi, David Phoshoko, Dominique Albinski, Dora Prevost, Dries Fourie, Edias Muromba, Emma Halford, Fathema Bemath, Gaelen Pinnock, Glen Cook, Heike Taschner Jeske, Hendrien Horn, Hilton Edwards, Jaco Kruger, James Cook, Janko de Beer, Jo Steenkamp, John Moore, Karin Lijnes, Karla Nixon, Keith Calder, Kirsty Russell, Kunye Colab Art, Lerato Motau, Leon von Moltke, Lisa Martin, Malebogo Molokoane, Marina Walsh, Mark Chapman, Marke Meyer, Mark Swart, Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe, Matsemela Nkoana, Mederic Turay, Michael Brauer, Mmutla Mashishi, Moliehi Mokete, Nicola Roos, Nicola Smith, Nindya Bucktowar, Nwabisa Ntlokowana, Paballo Majela, Phahlo Mtangai, Phillipah Rumano, Phumzile Buthelezi, Pierre Fourie, Pitika Ntuli, Raja Oshi, Rix Wellmann, Samuel Allerton, Sarah Richards, Siyabulela Ndodana, St John Fuller, Strijdom van der Merwe, Thami Jali, Usen Obot, Wilma Cruise and Willie Bester
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Artists
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Alan Ainslie
Alan Ainslie has established himself as a wildlife artist adept at capturing the untamed spirit of Africa in his drawings, paintings and sculptures. His portrayal of the wildlife of the... -
Dominique Albinski
Dominic Albinski was born in Johannesburg, in 1975. He started sculpting at a young age at the Art classes of Mercia Desmond. From the start, he was in contact with... -
Dr Willie Bester
I am sometimes tempted to go to the seaside and to paint beautiful things from nature. But I do not do it because my art has to be taken as... -
Pitika Ntuli
Following in the tradition of the ‘Renaissance Man’, Pitika Ntuli is a true artistic, political and academic polymath. Interested in exploring the contradictory relationship between tradition and modernity, Ntuli’s witty... -
Wilma Cruise
Themes explored in Cruise’s work include the interface between humans and animals with particular emphasis on communication. In her doctoral thesis, “Thinking with Animals: An exploration of the animal turn... -
Ben Tuge
Tuge's love of Africa, life and family and his respect of fellow human beings and the spirit of Africa are captured in every grain of wood he touches. -
Arno Morland
You know what I like? I like looking at things from behind thick, plate glass. You can't hear a thing. I love to watch trees swaying and bending and shivering... -
Andre Stead
Andre Stead is a celebrated sculptor who is passionate about the human form. He works across different mediums including plastic, metals, and even carbon fibre to create sculptures that often... -
James Cook
My work aims to capture moments of intense emotion and allow the audience to be temporarily consumed by it. This explains why I am drawn to the themes of love,... -
Pierre Fourie
Born in 1985 in Johannesburg South Africa. Grew up in Krugersdorp. After matriculating in 2003 studied Garden Designing and Horticulture. Three things he loves - Nature, Design and Creating new... -
Carl Roberts
The emphasis is on magic, accident, irrational, symbols and dreams. Carl Roberts is a master craftsman and sought after visual artist who gently massages natural materials such as bone, wood,... -
Cecilia Wilmot Ballam
Wilmot’s creative destiny was determined from an early age, having grown up in a family of artists. She recalls helping to prepare and frame her Father (Martin Wenkidu’s) paintings every year... -
Keith Calder
Whilst working at the Kruger Park many years ago, Keith contracted malaria, and during his recuperation he started to explore an interest in sculpture. Conflicted between his commitment to conservation... -
Mark Chapman
My work is generally fun and whimsical. I guess my work is a combination of cartoon and Pop Art. Putting a smile on someone’s face when they see my work... -
Mark Swart
My work is a process of form reaching towards beauty. Whether it being design, sculptural, architectural or functional. The design philosophy is simple: form follows function, using only the essential... -
Nicola Roos
My work suggests that this shifting state of culture and a resulting sense of rootlessness is so much more apparent at the dawn of what Okwui Enwezor calls post-Westernism –... -
Phahlo Mtangai
A performer and puppeteer, Phahlo Mtangai loves his culture and African Religion. -
Sarah Richards
Sarah is experienced and well versed at executing commissioned tasks; from small coffee table pieces, portrait busts and monumental statues. She works closely with her client to creatively express their... -
Siyabulela Ndodana
A quote from a book, a verse from a poem, a lyric of a song, or a simple chat with a friend becomes a medium to motivate and inspire. Siyabulela... -
Carol Cauldwell
Carol Cauldwell 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... -
Glen Cook
Glen Cook, born 1988, studied Product Design at the Cape Town University of Technology. Growing up north of Cape Town in a small coastal community, was introduced to art at... -
Bercia Roos
Bericia Roos is an artist who finds beauty and purpose in discarded items. An interior decorator and fashion designer by profession, she continued creating three-dimensional art from discarded and pre-loved... -
Corné du Plessis
I have had a varied career from working in the corporate sector to owning a franchise store, part of an international brand. In 2013 my life journey once again took... -
Heike Taschner Jeske
Heike matriculated from the German School in Pretoria.She studied Fine Art at the Tshwane University of Technology, enjoying 13 subjects including textiles, ceramics, painting, life-drawing with Carl Jeppe, art theory,... -
Hendrien Horn
When I finally grasped that I had pushed my body too far, it was already too late. A chest injury from overworking on my pottery wheel in 2019 halted my... -
Malebogo Molokoane
Malebogo Molokoane was born on 22 September 1990 in Rustenburg, North West. Upon graduatingfrom High School and later graduating at the Impala Platinum Sports Academy, she then worked as amechanical... -
Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe
Having grown up on a farm, Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe has been sculpting with whatever she could find ever since she can remember. She completed her BA Fine Art Honours degree at... -
Nindya Bucktowar
Nindya is a multi-disciplinary artist who experiments with clay and mixed media to create installations inspired by natural and urban landscapes. She specialises in topographical ceramic sculpture as a medium... -
PHILLIPAH RUMANO
My work displays a personal and intimate self discovery, self exploration and self embracement.Born in a family of male sculptors and existing in a world where stone sculpting seems masculine... -
Phumzile Buthelezi
Phumzile Buthelezi was born during the Soweto Uprising and her artistic journey began with early recognition, winning a drawing competition during her time at Thulani Primary School. She continued to... -
Samuel Allerton
Samuel Allerton (°1976) was born in the Eastern Cape of South Africa where he enjoyed the freedom of a carefree childhood, first living on the banks of the Bonza Bay river... -
Strijdom van der Merwe
Strijdom van der Merwe is a South African award-winning land artist who uses materials he finds on-site to create his artworks. His materials include sand, water, wood, rocks and stone.... -
Thato Kokwana
Thato Kokwana is a anti-disciplinary artist born and bred in Morokweng,North West, South Africa. The 26 year old specialised in glass forming in hisBtech studies in 2019 and he now... -
Ayanda Mabulu
Ayanda Mabulu is a self-taught artist whose work focuses on social upheavals and matters affecting the politics of the black body. He currently lives and works in Jo- hannesburg. Mabulu... -
Kunye Colab
Kunye Colab, a vibrant cooperative sculpture production workspace based in South Africa, stands as a beacon of inspiration and inclusion for artists and sculpture makers of all skill levels. Committed... -
Chantal Coetzee
Chantal Coetzee is anartist,feminist historian, speakerand radio presenter, based inCape Town.She obtained her degree in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in 1987.Since graduating,shehas explored the realm... -
Lisa Martin
Conceived in Joburg and born in the UK, Lisa spent her early years between thetwocountries.In 1996, after completing her studies at Plymouth College of Art in Design Metals,Lisareturned to South... -
Dries Fourie
Born in 1972 within a mining community, Andries Fourie, affectionately known as Dries,discoveredhis artistic calling unexpectedly. In 1998, a fellow sculptor handed him a small piece of wax, igniting alifelong... -
St John Fuller
Born in South Africa, I moved to the UK in the 80’s. There I finished my education. For a while Ispent time between England and South Africa.Since graduating I have... -
CHONAT GETZ
Chonat Getz works mainly in the media of printmaking and sculpture. When making prints her preference is for hard ground etchings, drypoint or relief prints. Sculpturally, she combines both kiln-formed... -
Janko de Beer
Janko de Beer was born 1980 in Pretoria, South Africa, before.relocating to Cape Town in 1997.Jankomatriculated from Pro Arte Alphen Park, a well-established art school in Pretoria, where he was... -
Jaco Kruger
Regarded by many as a visionary entrepreneur, Jaco's career has centered on two key things: a passion for innovation and design, and an innate understanding of the human spirit. 'The... -
Emma Halford
Born in Cambridge England in 1971, Halford’s love for art started at school and led to her studies in textile design. Most of her working career was spent in the... -
David Phoshoko
Born in 1945 in Pretoria, David Mothabeng Phoshoko has traveled and exhibited extensively. With the forced removals in 1959, he and his family resettled in the town of De Wildt,... -
Matsemela Nkoana
Nkoana was born in 1948 in Lady Selborne in Pretoria . He was part of the Ga-Rankuwa group during the 1970's and is a practicing sculptor based in Pretoria -
Edias Muromba
Edias was born in Murewa to a family of 7, 3 girlsand 4 boys.Ediaslearnt a lot at anearly agethrough his father who was a peasantfarmer and later become a construction... -
John Moore
John Moore has always been fascinated by the fauna and flora of Southern Africa. During his childhood, the love of his surroundings was deeply ingrained as he traveled with his... -
Ndabuko Ntuli
Ndabuko Ntuli is a practising sangoma, playwright, poet, artist and musician who continues to reach new heights through the clever use of mediums and materials. Ndabuko Ntuli, an artist hailing... -
Raja Oshi
Raja Oshi is a Sudanese artist now living in South Africa. Graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Art at the Sudanese University of Science and Technology in Khartoum... -
Leon Von Moltke
Growing up in far northern Namibia with its wide open spaces and ancient peoples and then studying and working in a modern business environment had an indelible impact on my... -
Nicola Smith
Nicola Smith (b. 1995, South Africa) is an industrial designer and ceramic artist based in Johannesburg. In 2020, Smith founded Kilnhouse Design Studio, a custom design and production studio focused... -
Marina Walsh
Marina Walsh has operated a private sculpture school for the past 18 years. As a mid-career artist, she is known for her large public and international works. Her life-sized bronzes... -
Collen Maswanganyi
Collen Maswanganyi was born in the rural village of Noblehoek near Giyani, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Collen comes from an artistic family. His father is the well-known sculptor Johannes Maswanganyi,... -
Gaelen Pinnock
I am an architect and artist based in Cape Town, South Africa. I use various techniques to explore and document expressions of power in the urban landscape. My work scrutinizes... -
JO Steenkamp
Born and raised in the diverse landscapes of South Africa, JO Steenkamp began sculpting at the age of 16. A series of synchronistic events led him to establish a full-time... -
Rix Wellmann
Rix is a full-time artist based in Rooiels, a charming seaside village nestled in the Western Cape ofSouth Africa. Living in close proximity to the breathtaking fynbos and a mountain... -
Moliehi Mokete
As an artist born in 1986 and raised in Lesotho, I draw upon the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage and personal experiences to create my art. My journey as... -
Lerato Motau
Lerato Motau lives on Vilakazi Street in Soweto, the historical significance of which has inspired her and features in some of her work. Motau has had two solo exhibitions and... -
Dora Prevost
Dora's artistic journey began in 2014 when she discovered her innate talent for sculpting. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she now calls Johannesburg, South Africa, her home, where... -
Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe
Marieke’s work continues to explore the human figure, considering how sculpture mimics the three-dimensionality of a human presence and thus the powerful dialogue it invites – human-to-human look-alike. Her fascination... -
Catriona Towriss
Hello, I am Catriona, an artist who is passionate about helping you reconnect with your creativity. Born and raised near Cambridge, U.K., I now live and work in Cape Town,... -
Thami Jali
Thami Jali was born Lamontville, Durban in 1955. He matriculated at Dlangezwa in KwaZulu Natal and started to study for a Law degree at the then University of Zululand when... -
Karin Lijnes
She was the recipient of the Sasol New Signatures Award in 1992 and has had her work featured in numerous group exhibitions. In 2014, she organized the first Land Art... -
Alexander Savvas
Alexander Savvas was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1989. Growing up exposed to Southern Africa’s diverse natural landscape, his connection to nature became intrinsic. To him, Johannesburg, the sprawling... -
Nwabisa Ntlokowana
Born 1988 in Durban, KZN. Nwabisa Ntlokwana is a Johannesburg based visual artist, constructing pieces that focus on themes around environmental sustainability and her interpretation of modern motherhood. Drawing inspiration... -
Hilton Edwards
His artistic style embodies a distinctive fusion of modernity and abstraction, characterized by bold, vibrant colors and dynamic compositions. His abstract works often convey a sense of energy and movement,... -
Karla Nixon
Karla Nixon, born in 1990, spent her early childhood on a sugarcane estate in Swaziland before relocating to Durban, South Africa. She is a Durban based artist who predominantly works... -
Paballo Majela
Paballo Majela is a young emerging South African artist based in Pretoria. Majela was born in the Free State, QwaQwa 1990. He is currently completing his Btech in Fine Art at... -
Fathema Bemath
Fathema Bemath is a mother, entrepreneur, and sculptor. Hailing from Lenasia, Fathema’s experience of art was coloured by the insular community that she grew up in. Many in the community... -
Kirsty Russell
Kirsty Russell was born in South Africa in 1994. She is a multidisciplarian who utilizes a diverse range of mediums, including graphite, charcoal, oil paint and sculpture. She began her... -
Mmutla Mashishi
Mmutla Mashishi was born and bred in a small village called Driefontain, Limpopo, in 1975, wherehe matriculated in Refiloe High School. He is a self-taught artist who always loved art... -
Marke Meyer
Marke Meyer is a sculptor, art photographer and a multi-media artist. He was born in Kokstad, spent his childhood in the mountains of Lesotho and matriculated from Westville Boy's High School... -
Michael Brauer
I am an artist (born in 1971 in Namibia) currently living and working in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing a degree, BA in Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University, I... -
Mederic Turay
Visionary, thoughtful as much as intuitive, Mederic Turay uses his talents to participate in raising awareness by telling the most beautiful as well as the hardest stories. This multidisciplinary storyteller... -
Nanette Ranger
Nanette Ranger (b1969, Durban, South Africa) has spent the better part of three decades building a dynamic and successful art career. Her versatility as a sculptor is self-evident in the...
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