Südafrika

André Prinsloo

The creation of my sculptures is a very private act that originates from deep within my sub-conscience. Often the idea just happens without much conscious thought. Verbal communication – especially with strangers, does not come naturally to me. Thus sculpture – like music, has become my universal language. In the act of creation I therefore talk to myself and it has become a way of exploring my inner emotions.

For me there are many ways in which I can start a sculpture. Usually movement is the spark that inspires, but lately just a simple stillness (as in yoga) in a pose can also be the trigger. As we are all human we can all identify with the emotions and feelings irrespective of our backgrounds. Therefore the human form has become my universal language in which I prefer to express myself. The extreme poses portray extreme emotions. The figures are often androgynous. Often, when I start sculpting, the rhythm, feeling and line are the important factors. Only towards the end do I have to decide on a gender and by then usually the sculpture itself has determined its own sex.

As the nature of sculpture is three-dimensional it therefore intrudes into our living space and becomes a lot more intimate by nature. It is tangible and the sensation of touch is one of our most important senses. Everybody enjoys touching or being touched by those dear to us. I find the duality of bronze as a medium fascinating. During the actual casting there-of it is hot and liquid as water. Once cast it becomes cold and hard. The sculptor’s art is to understand this medium and to create shapes and textures that will still entice the viewer to reach out and touch the warmth and softness that is captured within the work. When and if you the viewer touches my work, I have been successful to communicate with you despite our various backgrounds.

Contrary to a painting, photograph or drawing that has its own built-in source of light captured by the artist, a sculpture’s light source continually varies according to its physical circumstances. Sometimes the surface is smooth and other times impressionistic – each reflecting light in a different way (hard or soft). Another important factor is that a sculpture’s rhythm and line must be able to stand on its own without needing a patina to make it “pretty” and acceptable. I would ideally like to naturally age my work over a period of months or even years to develop its own character/patina. But today’s society is one of instant gratification and thus the use of chemical patinas.

As with people, no two works are alike even though they might be editions of the same work. The nature of lost wax casting ensures that all works are unique.

Enough said about my view on my works – let them now speak for themselves….




Born 8 November 1956 in Port Elizabeth
EDUCATION
1974 Matriculated - Cillié High School – Port Elizabeth
1975 - 1977 National Diploma in Sculpture - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) (then College for Advanced Technical Education) under Sculptor Phil Kolbe
1978 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 Nell.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• 1979 - 1980 SANDF (National Service)
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 -1982 Co-founder with H.L. McDonald of MacAndré Foundry. Extensive experience in downdraft kiln-building, 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 – 1986 SANDF (Permanent Force)
During this 3.5 year period I worked in the Sculpture Department of the military’s 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 Parabat Memorial of three half life-size Para-trooper 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.
• 1987 – 1988 (July ’87 – June ’88) University of Pretoria (Fine Art Department)
I was employed as a technical assistant in Sculpture Dept. and work 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)
Partner in small business, building theatre & TV sets & Requisites.
Lectured Part time in the Sculpture Department at the University of Pretoria.
Worked as freelance sculptor under Kobus de Beer on The Lost City Project at Sun City (carved the Palm Fronts of the big arches at Krugersdorp studios)
• 1997 Tshwane University of Technology (Lecturer in the Props (Requisites) Department. Entertainment Technology
• 1998 – to June 2013 Creoterra Cc
Partner in small business, manufacturing Cement Fibre Pots and Garden Sculptures. I designed and sculpted and made the complete range of pots/planters & garden sculptures. During this time I also helped various sculptors (like Suzanne du Toit) 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.

Exhibitions

• 1975 - 1978 – College for Advanced Education (C.A.T.E.)(P.E. Technikon – Art Department) various Student Exhibitions
• 1986 – Karen McKerron Gallery (Bryanston) two person exhibition with painter Marnus Havenga
• 1990 – Gallery on the Market (Dec) Group Exhibition of miniature paintings & sculptures
• 1991 – Desré Resnick Art Gallery Two person exhibition with painter Johannes Du Plessis
• 1992 – Pretoria Art Museum (Dec) Group Exhibition of Pretoria Painters & Sculptors
• 1992 – The Art House (June) Solo Exhibition of bronze sculptures
• 1992 – Department of Fine Arts, Univ. of Pretoria (Aug) Group Exhibition 19 Artists
• 1993 – SA Association of Arts (N Tvl) (June) two person exhibition with artist Patsy van der Reis. Volkskas Bank Art Centre


2012 - Full time Sculptor
Was commissioned by The National Heritage Foundation to do two Life size figures in bronze of their on going project Long Walk to Freedom commemorating past Struggle Heroes of South Africa
• Hadji Ojer Ally
• Chief Makhado

2013 - Full time Sculptor

Started a collaboration partnership with fellow Sculptor Ruhan Janse van Vuuren in which we did the following:

Was commissioned by The House of Memory (CEO Vusi Mchunu) to do three Life size figures commemorating:
• Monument of Archbishop Denis Hurley & young boy (Kwa Tintwa School for the Deaf) Pietermaritzburg Municipality KZN
• Griffiths Mxenge
• Victoria Mxenge

Was commissioned by The National Heritage Foundation to do three life size figures in bronze of:
• Chief Langalibalele
• Dr Abdullah Abdurahman
• Cissie Gool

Was commissioned by Koketso Growth (CEO Dali Tambo) to do a 9m Tall figure in bronze of:
• Former President Nelson Mandela (Union Buildings)


2014 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to build from architectural design a Water Fountain:
• Water feature for DRC – Lubumbashi including life-size sculptures of Female figure, Leopard & Crocodile
• Group Exhibition - St Lorient Art Gallery (Pretoria)
• Group Exhibition - Arts Association Pretoria
• Koketso Growth – Launch of the National Heritage Project at the Fountains Valley Pretoria
• Group Exhibition at Equus Art Gallery (Franschhoek)
• Bust of Nelson Mandela in conjunction with Koketso Growth (in collaboration)
• Nominated for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) at The Design Indaba (for the Sculpture of Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings)

2015 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to create from various architectural designs and architectural Elements:
• For the new Palace of King Mswati III ornamental scrolls for the garden Gazebos

• Solo Exhibition at Whalehaven Wine Estate – Hermanus
• Group Exhibition at South Hill Wine Estate – Western Cape
• Group Exhibition at Gallery on Leviseur – Bloemfontein
• Group Exhibition at Equus Art Gallery (The Four Horsemen) (Nov) Somerset West
• Rooftop Exhibition at St Lorient (July) Pretoria

In collaboration & partnership with fellow Sculptor Ruhan Janse van Vuuren.
Was commissioned by the Mokbel Family to do a life size Bust in bronze of:
• The late Mr Mokbel – Businessman

2016 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to build from various architectural designs and architectural Elements:
• For the new Palace of King Mswati III ornamental scrolls for the garden Gazebos’
• For the new Palace of King Mswati III - Water Fountain (Water feature) & additional ornamental architectural Designs
• A 4m tall Tallystone in cement (replica of the archaeological Tallystone found at the Blombos cave) for the Dept. of Statistics in Pretoria

In collaboration & partnership with fellow Sculptor Ruhan Janse van Vuuren.
Was commissioned by The National Heritage Foundation for The national Heritage Project, to do three Life size figures in bronze of:
• Chris Hani – Long Walk to Freedom Project
• Fidel Castro - walking with Flag
• Fidel Castro (Salute) – Life-size, Freedom Park Bloemfontein
As well as:
• Fidel Castro (Salute) – 3m Tall (Fidel Castro Building - Bloemfontein)
• Netcells commission - Johannesburg

Group exhibitions at:
• Cavalli Estate Art Gallery (Stellenbosch)
• Dorp Street Gallery (Stellenbosch)
• The Studio Gallery - Kalk Bay
• St Lorient – Group Exhibition opening of new Shopping Complex (Menlyn on Maine) in Pretoria
• Tina Skukan Gallery – Group Exhibition
• The Leonardo Gallery – Solo Exhibition
• St Lorient – two person Exhibition with Ilandi Barkhuizen
• Pretoria Kunskamer (Pretoria)

• Donation of “Dancer” to Chefs who Share’s annual fundraising event (Edition 1/7 Fiber-glass)

2017 - Full time Sculptor

• Chief Langalibalele II – Commission for The Castle of Good Hope Cape Town (In collaboration & partnership with fellow Sculptor Ruhan Janse van Vuuren)

Was commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to create various architectural designs and architectural Elements:
• For the Palace of King Mswati III (Swaziland) ornamental scrolls for the garden Gazebos (On-going Process)
• Water Feature Canal 12m long for the International Airport of Swaziland – on-going

Was commissioned by a private client, Rodrigues Family to do a Life size Freefall Figure in bronze of:
• Freefall - Figure in Dining area (Unique work)
• 2/3 life-size Female Figure (Poise) Edition 1/7 Bronze

Group exhibitions at:
• Cavalli Estate Art Gallery (Stellenbosch)
• Dorp Street Gallery (Stellenbosch)
• Agapanthus Gallery (Kalk Bay)
• Grand Provence (Franschoek)
• Pretoria Kunskamer (Pretoria)
• The Boutique Gallery (Kalk Bay & Franschoek)
• Daniel Kok Gallery – Hemel-en –Aarde) Hermanus
• Boschendal Wine Estate
• Art@TheClocktower V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Solo Exhibition:
• Conjoined Murmurs – (Pretoria) Art Lovers 1932



2018 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by a private client, Adv. Lucas van Tonder (Montpellier de Tulbagh) to do:
• Dancing – Figurine 1/5th Life-size to commemorate a deceased friend
• Bust – to commemorate a deceased friend
• Have recently been chosen as one of four finalists for a Public Artwork in honour of Nelson Mandela at De Krook, Ghent Brussels.
https://stad.gent/ghent-international/mandelaghent-project/artists

Was commissioned by Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) and The Department of Arts South Africa, to do:
• Nelson Mandela – a Life-size figure in Bronze for the United Nations, New York, United States of America.

Group exhibitions at:
• Agapanthus Gallery (Kalk Bay)
• Grand Provence (Franschoek)
• Pretoria Kunskamer (Pretoria)
• The Boutique Gallery (Kalk Bay & Franschoek)
• Daniel Kok Gallery – Hemel-en –Aarde) Hermanus
• Boschendal Wine Estate
• Art@TheClocktower V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

2019 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by a private client, SAMCRO to do:
• Woman with Hat – a Life-size memorial portrait bust
• Portrait of a Zulu Woman – a Life-size memorial portrait bust
Was commissioned by a private client, CWDi to do:
• Eagle Trophy – a small trophy
Was commissioned by a private client, PSG (Brinkfin(Pty)Ltd to do:
• NY Charging Bull Trophy – a small trophy
• In the beginning of 2019 I was approached by a private Business from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and commissioned to do a Marquette (Scale model) of their President Joseph Kabila on a Horse. If this proposal is successful, it will be a Life-size Equestrian Statue of Joseph Kabila flanked by 4,4m high Tusks forming the “Arc de la Democratie”. This sculpture will be erected in Kinshasha, DRC. This included a life-size Bust of Joseph Kabila.
• In collaboration with fellow sculptor Willem Botha, built an artificial rock face Dimensions 3m H x 2m W x 4m Long. (Pride Rock – as in Lion King) for well-known conservationist Kevin Richardson.
• During 2019 I was also commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to build a 4,5m long Whale in cement – an inter-active sculpture and water feature for a shopping centre.

Group exhibitions at:
• Members’ Exhibition (Pretoria Arts Association)
• Alliance Française (Pretoria)
• Grand Provence (Franschoek)
• Art@TheClocktower V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
• Art Box (Pretoria)
• Respek – “Wens”

2020 - Full time Sculptor

Was commissioned by a private client, SAMCRO Memorials and in conjunction with Southern African Development Community (SADC) to do:
• Julius Kambarage Nyerere – a 2,75m Memorial Monument to be erected at the African Union Peace and Security Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• During 2020 I was also commissioned by Gallo Precast Pretoria (CEO Claudio Del Gallo) to construct various Architectural Elements for the Palace of King Mswati III (Swaziland) the King’s Office, Ezulwini, Royal Villa – this is an on going Project.

Group exhibitions at:
• Members’ Exhibition (Pretoria Arts Association)
• Grand Provence (Franschoek)
• Art@TheClocktower V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
• Solo Exhibition at Johann Van Heerden’s Gallery, Pretoria – currently new works for this solo is in process.


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, MIG 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) http://www.art.co.za/andreprinsloo/default.htm
http://www.andreprinsloosculpture.com
http://theta4.wixsite.com/andrepublicsculptures





Vision & Mission

Although I’ve been doing three-dimensional work (including sculpture) since I left College, I’ve only been doing sculpture fulltime as a career and life-style since 2013.
My vision is to move away from the more commercial galleries and move towards the more fine art orientated galleries with more exclusivity. With this in mind my mission would be to further my sculpture content in a more contemporary narrative.


Kunstwerke (2)

André Prinsloo, 2019

The Ballet Dancer

André Prinsloo, 2020

HandStand

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