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Biography

About

Born 8 November 1956 in Port Elizabeth 

EDUCATION 

Matriculated in 1974from Cillié High School – Port Elizabeth 

During the period 1975 - 1977I obtained theNational Diploma in Sculpture - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) (then College for Advanced Technical Education or CATE) under Sculptor Phil Kolbe. 

In 1978I completed the Higher National Diploma in Sculpture (specializing in Terra Cotta) - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) (then College for Advanced Technical Education) under sculptor Phil Kolbe and ceramicist Hylton Nel. 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE 

1979 – 1980 SANDF (National Service) 

After completing my Basic orientation For 18 months during this two-year period I worked in the Sculpture Department of the military’s Shows & Exhibitions doing trophies and other relevant sculptures i.e. Busts & Relief Panels 

1981  - Co-founderwith H.L.McDonald of MacAndré Foundry.

Extensive experience in downdraft kiln building, using anthracite as fuel, traditional lost wax investment casting, mould making & relevant disciplines

1982 – 1983 PACT (Provincial Arts Council of Transvaal) 

I worked in the Props (Requisites) Department where I did my first larger than Life carvings in polystyrene seven meters tall for the opera Nabuccu as well as a variety of props and other theatre skills.  

1983 – 1985 SANDF (Permanent Force)        

During this 3.5 year period I worked in the Sculpture Department of the South African National Defence Force’s Department Shows & Exhibitions. One of my main sculptures of this time was a life-size Figure of a soldier in bronze in front of The Military Academy in Saldanha Bay.  Another was a Para-bat Memorial of three half life-size Para-troopers in Bronze at their Battalion in Bloemfontein. During this period we also developed a bronze foundry for the SANDF to do it’s own trophies, busts and other sculptures.  

1986– 1987 (July ’86 – June ’87) University of Pretoria(Fine Art Department) 

I was employed as a Technical Assistant in Sculpture Department and worked under Prof Mike Edwards & Prof Nico Roos. During this time I worked in the Sculpture Department’s foundry and did numerous bronze castings (including work for well known sculptors Eduardo Villa, Maureen Quin, Johan van Heerden, Dorta Berner & Caroline van der Merwe) 

  • 1988 – 1996    Sets Etcetera (Co-owner & partner)

I was a Partner in small business that specialized in building theatre & TV sets & requisites. 

  • 1990 - 1991   Worked as freelance sculptor under Kobus de Beer on The Lost City Project at Sun City (carved the Palm Fronds of the big arches at Krugersdorp studios)

  • 1993 -Lectured Part time in the Sculpture Department at the University of Pretoria.

  • 1996 - 1997    Tshwane University of Technology (Lecturer in the Props (Requisites) Department. Entertainment Technology 

  • 1997 – to June 2013Creoterra Cc

I was a Partner in a small manufacturing business of Cement Fibre Pots and Garden Sculptures. It was my responsibility to design, sculpt and fabricate the complete range of pots, planters & garden sculptures. This included extensive research and production of rigid (fiberglass) mould making for the above products.  

One of the highlights during this time was when our Pots & Planters was selected nationally by the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (Designers David Davidson & Raymond Hudson) and used in the annual South African stall at the Chelsea Flower Show (Royal Horticultural Society – RHS) 2006. South Africa won a gold medal.

During this time I also helped various sculptors (like Sculptors Suzanne du Toit & Marina Welsch) with mould making (Silicon, Polyurethane & fibre-glass) and Casting work in Cement, white cement, F/glass and various other materials. Also sculpted, moulded and made fibre-glass casts of three over life-size mythological figures (mermaid, Merman, sea turtle, Leopard, crocodile, etc.) for Fountains for Gallo Precast (Pretoria) to be exported and installed in Lubumbashi, DRC.

Skills:

  • Carving big sculptures in polystyrene and polyurethane  

  • Sculpting large sculptures in clay

  • Good knowledge and experience in Bronze-casting and all relevant skills e.g. patina, TIG welding, mould making (various materials), Fibre-glass casting and Cement Casting 

  • Drawing – both realistic (art) as well as technical drawings. 

  • Good management skills

  • Work under strict Client input based commissions

  • Work under very tight deadline date

  • Works well in certain collaborative projects

  • I am a sculptor (with a figurative style influenced by French Sculptor August Rodin)

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