“By revelation and imagination, we are transformed by the light that shapes the forms and voids of life “- Anton Smit
Art is metamorphic in nature and opens a contemplative space where our perceptions can be shifted through our interaction with a piece that speaks to us on a subconscious level. Walking through Nelson Mandela Square one is compelled to stop and pause as you are transformed by the beauty and power of twenty-five monumental sculptures by Anton Smits in his latest exhibition called “Colossal”. Anton is a world renowned South African Sculptor and will be unveiling his latest exhibition at Artyli Gallery in Nelson Mandela Square Mall on Saturday 13 August at 2pm.
The inspirational feature of his exhibition is “Colossal Youth”, a three-meter-high sculpture which embodies the spirit of our African times. To inspire, you must be inspired. Anton is not only an acclaimed sculptor he is also a poet and uses his poetry to describe his artworks. Of “Colossal Youth” he writes;
“My flesh covers the tough clay,
my bones to rocks are metamorphosed,
that’s the cold northern star burning
in my eyes, those legs, those thighs,
my monstrous trunk, my erect head,
here it ends. – Anton Smit
Born in Boksburg in August 1954, Anton entered his first sculpting exhibition at the age of sixteen and won first prize. Following successful exhibitions in White River, Nelspruit, Pretoria and Cape Town, Smit turned to sculpting full-time to fulfil the demand for his work by galleries and private collectors.
In 1990, international recognition came in the form of exhibitions in Rome and Milan, an invitation to exhibit in New York and Hong Kong, as well as a return exhibition in Italy in 1993. More exhibitions followed in Bonn, Washington, Singapore and Koln.
Widely revered and arguably one of the major sculptors alive today, Anton’s work evokes themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory and sublimation. His works grace public and private collections locally and abroad and he was featured at SCOPE Art Fair in New York in 2017.
His body of work comprises towering human figures, nudes, heads, masks, hands, angels, floating and stretching figures, warriors, as well as abstract works, sculpted out of steel, metal, stone and a unique iron and polymer cast mixture, as well as bronze
Join us for a glass of wine, canapes, and Jazz at Artyli Gallery and Nelson Mandela Square and be inspired by this truly awe-inspiring exhibition which is so aptly named “Colossal”.
Anton will be opening his exhibition with a short speech and will take guests on a tour of his works during the afternoon. Please RSVP if you would like to book a place on the tour as places are limited. To book your place on the tour please RSVP deby@artyli.com
