We 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 celebrations.
Over the years, Carol Caudwell has developed a solid reputation and a large global following for her whimsical sculptures that appeal to the nostalgic yearning in all of us for a more innocent world in which dreams come true. Her works grace numerous important private collections across most continents.
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About the artist
Carol CauldwellMy artwork takes on a critical view of social, political and cultural issues conveyed in an almost sarcastic and satirical and humorous way. As a person I struggle with injustice in any form and my artwork has become a therapeutic tool for me to work through these issues.
Over the years, Carol Caudwell has developed a solid reputation and a large global following for her whimsical sculptures that appeal to the nostalgic yearning in all of us for a more innocent world in which dreams come true. Her works grace numerous important private collections across most continents.Carol was born in Germiston in 1968 and grew up in the picturesque surrounding of the Magaliesburg. Inspired by her father’s love for art, she joined the Johannesburg School of Art, Ballet, Drama and Music, first specialising in music until she transferred to art. She acquired a Diploma in Ceramics from WITS Technicon where she excelled in sculpture. This led to her establishing a Pottery Studio in Magaliesburg that expanded into a factory in Modderfontein that was eventually hand-painting over 4000 units per day for chain stores.
As part of a journey of self-discovery and healing, Carol turned to Iconography and painted numerous icons and two Orthodox Churches which she clad with stylised patterns and Inconography, yet throughout this time she yearned for 3 Dimensional work. In 2011 she took the decision to fulfil a lifelong dream to start to sculpt in wax and bronze casting and this has remained her core focus ever since.The tremendous discipline required to manage a factory creating over 4000 hand painted ceramics per day gave Carol the skills required to become one of South Africa’s most prolific artists with an exceptional focus and work rate. The style of her artworks has been described as ‘Magic Realism’.Carol enjoys pushing the boundaries to the limits in terms of design and materials and this has led to her decision to open her own foundry.‘Creating artworks is a healing process for me. Allowing me to try to deal with the myriad of injustices that we come face to face with each day. My sculptures take a critical view of social, political, and cultural issues engaging with them in an almost sarcastic, satirical, and humorous way. I use fairy tales, fantasy, wordplay, nursery rhymes, illustration and icons to deconstruct and comment on issues of injustice in its different forms.
Whilst I have and continue to work across different mediums, I am passionate about bronze, and love the permanence and durability of it. I am keenly aware of the durability of time and enjoy the idea that my artworks and their message will remain well into the future for the benefit of others’, Carol Cauldwell.
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Carol CauldwellRabbit Skipping, 2022Bronze50 x 50 x 75 cmEdition of 15(C005627)
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To re-imagine and re-animate
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Cauldwell has an ability to re-imagine and re-animate the most common motif used in any story, artwork, song, etc, which are human strengths glorified (i.e., kindness, generosity, patience, etc). Her embedded tales touch on the significance of storytelling, which from different parts of the world, have the same symbolic quality which forms part of any societies history and cultural heritage which can help people create continuity in their lives whilist giving a feeling of mutuality coming in at a common basis.
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Carol CauldwellStargazers, 2020Bronze96 x 72 x 65 cmEdition of 15Carol CauldwellStargazers, 2020Bronze96 x 72 x 65 cmEdition of 15(C005276)
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"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 permanence 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."
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Carol CauldwellA Froggy Would A Wooing GoBronze40 x 62 x 85 cmEdition of 8(C005881)
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Carol CauldwellFranco the frog, 2019Bronze53 x 40.5 x 186 cm(C005878)
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We could land on the moon
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Carol CauldwellRabbits TangoBronze60 x 47 x 92Edition of 12(C005880)
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Definition of ‘A Freckle Past a Hair’ Said when asked the time, humorously indicating that one does not know or does not care to check.
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Carol CauldwellLoves me , loves me not, 2022Bronze(C005875)
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Carol CauldwellI've got youResin190 x 50 x 60 cmCarol CauldwellI've got youBronze190 x 50 x 60 cm(C005885)
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What the intellect fears
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Carol CauldwellEmperor, 201481 x 27 x 27 cmEdition of 7(C005852)
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Carol CauldwellThe Classical Dilemma, 2021Bronze225 x 85 x 82 cmEdition of 15(C005447)
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WHO SAW ROGER RABBIT?
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The High Street in Melrose Arch, now closed to traffic, has become home to more than 20 bronze sculptures of the whimsical creatures for which Carol has become acclaimed. Under the watchful eye of ‘Roger Rabbit’, a 5m high sculpture, other rabbits, puppies, children, and a walrus sea captain all engage with each other and the Melrose Arch audience with delightful abandon.
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Carol CauldwellRoger The Rabbit, 2019Bronze5 200 cm(C005873)
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‘A freckle past a hair’ is typically said when one is asked the time. Humorously indicating that one does not know or does not care to check. The title for the exhibition speaks to ‘time’ and the enjoyment thereof, and calls for less watching of the clock. It challenges us to feel, laugh, and engage with each other as we did as children.
