Sculptures
List of all sculptures
Bronze Bowl- and Vessel collection (Animals)
The inspiration for The Bronze Bowl and Vessel Collection, comes from a historical tradition through the ages, in many cultures, to fashion artistic vessels/bowls, using bronze. From e.g. The “Singing Bowls” (Tibet, Japan, Nepal, etc.), the bronze bowls from the Ming dynasty, bowls/vessels from ancient Greece and Roman times to bronze bowls with Egyptian motives (found in 1849) in northern Iraq. His Bronze Bowl/Vessel Collection features mostly “less familiar animals”. Each is a metaphor and has a story or fable behind it.
The Bronze Bowl and Vessel Collection was first exhibited in 2005 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, at the well-known Dorpstraat Gallery, and also 2 pieces at the Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town, and others. The bronzes are limited to 15 Editions with each piece having the artist’s name and foundry stamp, and can be ordered from the artist.
On the Termite`s Back (Aardvark)
L 330, D 170, H 190
Weight – 6 kg
The Pangolin Visitor Vessel
“Solitary animal, with a thick skin. “, …” Introvert” and nocturnal. Mysterious and amazing creature – with strong paws and claws. Can walk on four or two legs, maintaining balance with its tail and front part of its body. The Cape/Ground Pangolin. When in danger, rolls up in a ball when confronted with danger/confrontation, or fear. The Pangolin becomes a metaphor to a specific human character type: “hard on the outside, soft on the inside”.
L 840, D 385, H 280
Weight – 17.70 kg
Spider-Monkeys 1 Bowl
L 600, D 600, H 160
Weight – 26.10 kg
Spider-Monkeys 2 Bowl
Spider-monkey species are listed as “Endangered” by either USESA or IUCN. Found in tropical rain forests of Central, South America and Mexico. Weighs 5 to 9kg and can move through trees as fast as a human can run. It has no thumb, but with a very interesting tail that works like a fifth arm making it a super acrobat, who can move through the trees as fast as a man can run.
Motif: “just a bit further..,” / “ Strength in collective effort.” / “Monkey mischief”.
L 600, D 300, H 500
Weight – 8.50 kg
Armadillo Bowl
Armadillo means “little armoured one” in Spanish. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in this case. Found in North, Central and South America. Like the Pangolin, also solitary and nocturnal. Can jump 1 meter high when frightened. 2 – 6 kg and covered by nonoverlapping, keratinized epidermal scales with nine bands/rings around middle of body. The armadillo is mainly insectivores with sticky tongues to lap up the insects. Like the pangolin can run away quickly, or quickly dig into the ground when confronted by its enemies. Some armadillo’s, like the Pangolin, can also roll up into a ball.
Motif: While creating this work, words/theme that came to mind were: Contemplation or Reflection.
L 600, D 430, H 350
Weight – 15kg
The Mantis' Secret
The Praying Mantis name comes from the typical “prayer-like” posture with folded forelimbs, although the eggcorn “praying mantis” is sometimes used in reference to their predatory habits. The insect order contains over 2400 species and 430 genera.
For me, the Mantis is a very secretive creature and fascinated me from childhood and for me, a strong symbol, and metaphor, of peacefulness, quietness, inner tranquillity and strength. The Greek word “mantis” means “prophet”.
From where I come from in South Africa, the Kalahari Bushmen has got very strong beliefs regarding the Mantis and in ancient China the Mantis has strong symbolic meaning and features in many folktales. To them the symbol represents “strength, courage and boldness”.
L 800, D 220, H 140
Weight – 10.00 kg
The Shrew
The Elephant Shrew (Macroscelidea) is not really a mouse, and not even a real Shrew. They are also called Sengis, a term derived from the Bantu languages of Africa. They are mostly from Africa and eats insects. Known for its long nose, long tail, thin legs and super speed. They are not highly social animals, but many live in monogamous pairs. They’re very active, but very seldom seen; elephant shrews are wary, well camouflaged, and adept at jumping or dashing away from threats. Words that came to mind while working on this project were: “alertness or readiness”.
The Bowl itself, in this work, had an organic and fauna origin/inspiration.
L 370, D 250, H 275
Weight – 7.10 kg
Tea Party (Five Birds)
“Tea party” – group social interaction of 5 different characters. Like a group of women (men), discussing and everyone an “expert” giving opinions to the world’s problems, and perhaps having an answer to all of them…maybe gossiping?
L 400, D 400, H 230
Weight – 9,5 kg
The Guardian
Raptor-like bird protecting the precious treasure inside the sphere-shaped vessel. Like a gargoyle guarding the content.
L170, D 170, H 260
Weight – 3.10 kg
Captive Invader
Like the mythological stories of the Sirens, dangerous yet beautiful creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. The motif or idea in this artwork, was the gecko or salamander creature, tempted by the shapes and form of the pattern on the vessel, and then falls into the trap and struggles to escape. The form/pattern which once intrigued him, now becomes alive, and tries to keep him captive. The flat 2D lines becomes alive (3D), with shape and form. Its maybe the struggle we all have with the empty lies (siren songs) of the materialism/consumerism. The circular pattern on the vessel is that of the strangler fig.
L 470, D 470, H 200
Weight – 9.60 kg
Strangler-Fig Platter
The Strangler Fig is an incredible plant, very beautiful (fully grown), but also very deadly. It latches onto another tree. The roots begin to thicken, and they completely surround the host tree. The host tree begins to suffer as less and less nutrients from the soil can make it up to the leaves, the pathways blocked and crushed by the Strangler. After some years the host tree dies and the fig tree, now strong enough to stand on its own carries on living while the host tree withers and dies. One takes/consumes & metamorphosize into another.
L 600, D 600, H 60
Weight – 12.20 kg
The Kingfisher Bowl
The Pied Kingfisher. Mostly found in Africa & Asia near water areas. Relating to the bowl the Kingfisher sits on, the Spiral Form, which has much symbolic meaning. It has, in meaning, similarities to that of the Cone shape. It can be a positive or negative symbol. The (positive) Spiral in this work, rises up and untangles and becomes free. “Breaks with the Conformity”. On this loosened part, the Kingfisher sits.
L 320, D 310, H 300
Weight – 7.50 kg
Looking-Up
The influences and exploration in this series relates to an “angst”, a “shaking” that is happening worldwide. There is a worldwide anticipation of something that’s coming that we somehow cannot quite explain, combined with a disappointment in political leaders and the materialistic. In these uncertain times, man will hopefully start to look beyond the physical and “upwards” to fill the “God-shaped” vacuum that is in its design. However, consumerism and the lies that the worldwide mass media is feeding us, blinding us from the truth, make it difficult to … “look up”.
"Looking-up" no. 1
“Solitary animal, with a thick skin. “, …” Introvert” and nocturnal. Mysterious and amazing creature – with strong paws and claws. Can walk on four or two legs, maintaining balance with its tail and front part of its body. The Cape/Ground Pangolin. When in danger, rolls up in a ball when confronted with danger/confrontation, or fear. The Pangolin becomes a metaphor to a specific human character type: “hard on the outside, soft on the inside”.
L 840, D 385, H 280
Weight – 17.70 kg
"Looking-up" no. 2
L 600, D 600, H 160
Weight – 26.10 kg
"Looking-up" no. 3
Spider-monkey species are listed as “Endangered” by either USESA or IUCN. Found in tropical rain forests of Central, South America and Mexico. Weighs 5 to 9kg and can move through trees as fast as a human can run. It has no thumb, but with a very interesting tail that works like a fifth arm making it a super acrobat, who can move through the trees as fast as a man can run.
Motif: “just a bit further..,” / “ Strength in collective effort.” / “Monkey mischief”.
L 600, D 300, H 500
Weight – 8.50 kg
Performers
He recently started to incorporate the human form as metaphor in his artwork – exploring the influence of mass media and “social engineering” on the global population, while the new “Performers” sculpture series also digs into these themes. With the “Performers”, Francois aims to invite the viewer to play with and interact with the artwork, much like figurine toys, to discover further meaning and metaphors. This is in contrast with sculptural artworks that sometimes have a very “static” feel or a “don’t touch” stigma attached to them, as often found in old museums. With this series, he attempts to challenge this mind-set, bringing the sculpture “closer” to the observer.
The Encounter
One performer’s “encounter” with another. One Tightrope, opposite directions. The tension of how will this playoff? The human`s obsession with performance and our self-worth in what we do/perform, like performing circus artists/acrobats. Defining ourselves by our own or other`s observation or “review” is of our performance. For this, we have to “play the game” and “perform”, for a better review, even with a mask to fit the challenge. But, we can also, “take off” the (Noh) masks.
L 230, D 500, H 200