If you’ve been wanting to add another event to your must-see list, the fifth edition of SculptX will open this spring, offering Joburgers the opportunity to view the largest and most diverse collection of sculptures. And best of all, entry to this sculpture fair is free!
Established in 2017, this annual sculpture fair is the largest of its kind in South Africa. This year, the event will present over 200 works created by more than 70 sculptors, and will be presented across multiple indoor and outdoor venues from 1 September to 16 October 2022.
The materials used, vary from bronze to wood, glass, crystal, steel and bone to stone and resin. In short, SculptX is a celebration of all manner of sculptural expression.
“SculptX has grown to become a highlight of the South African arts calendar providing a valuable platform for the promotion of sculpture and those who create them,” says Craig Mark, director of The Melrose Gallery.
Avid art enthusiasts can look out for a few must-see exhibits, showcasing legendary South African artists in a new light.
In 2022, SculptX will be presenting a new series of sculptures created by Dr Esther Mahlangu for the first time. The highly acclaimed artist is known for her bold contemporary work using reclaimed materials, but for this exhibition, she has focused on specifically creating a sculpture and not using products created for another purpose.
Dr Willie Bester, multi-award winning artist is set to reveal 3 bronze busts to the public for the first time. The sculptor and activist’s work has touched on a multitude of themes, from anti-apartheid resistance to celebrating and uplifting marginalised people, and has since garnered global recognition.
Established artists - Pitika Ntuli, Andre Stead, Jean Doyle and Strijdom van der Merwe amongst numerous others – will show alongside a younger set of artists pushing the boundaries of the medium such as Mandy Johnston, Simon Zitha, James Cook and Bridget Modema.
Female artists are represented strongly in the fair with works by Wilma Cruise, Elizabeth Balcomb, Ela Cronje, Rirhandzu Makhubele, Philiswa Lila and Sarah Richards 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 previously disadvantaged communities to give them the benefit of this valuable platform as they are often overlooked and underrepresented in this genre,” adds Mark.
A public call-out process was used to identify works for the fair and attracted proposals from many emerging artists. Curator, Ruzy Rusike and her team, considered more than 300 submissions before settling on the 200 works by 70 artists.
“We feel that the South African arts sector needs to be more inclusive and less exclusive in order to provide wider benefit to artists and audiences from all segments of the population and SculptX has been extremely successful in achieving this,” says Ruzy Rusike.
All are welcome and entrance for SculptX is free from 1 September to 16 October 2022 at The Melrose Gallery, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
