Images of Metal

The post-war period has seen a remarkable development in sculpture in bronze, steel and other metals in South Africa. Economic growth, the establishment of bronze foundries and developments in new media at art schools stimulated sculptural production amongst white sculptors, who drew on modernist trends from Europe and America. Excluded from art institutions, black artists rarely had the opportunity to share in international aspirations, but, making use of unusual media and informal training, produced innovative works.

Images of Metal explores these developments and offers over twenty individual essays on sculptors represented in the University of the Witwatersrand collections. From wire toys and representational bronzes, through modernist steel constructions, to politically charged multi-media assemblages, the work show the common history and the creative diversity of sculpture in South Africa.