ANIMALS CROSSING

The township Mdantsane is located close to the city for East London. One day the gab will be closed and it will be nothing more than a suburb of East London or Buffalo City as it is called now, connecting with the inner city. But in its character it is both rural and urban. Most of the inhabitants although living a more or less urban lifestyle have close ties to  rural areas.

And cattle crossing streets are still as much part of daily scenes as 100 years ago.

Cattle herding requires skill and experience. 

Having a smoke during lunch break is a welcome relaxation.

When the grass is green and high

the cattle are happy and fat and so is the cattle herder. Happy of course !

THE PLEASURE OF LIVING HERE NOW

There is a popular interior design magazine in South - Africa called " House and Leisure". 

Their slogan is " The Pleasure Of Living Here Now !

Could this saying apply to these to pictures as well.?

May be. !

HI - TECH BODY WORKS

SILHOUETTES

The lack of transport in African countries, be it public or private, is a big obstacle in competing economically and in many other ways with countries and continents of this world. 

The non-availability of infrastructure and suitable logistics to bring products from the inland to harbors is still a reality today, although many improvements have been made during the last decade. 

And even so the environmental impact and pollution of cars written off in Europe, because they do not comply with environmental regulations in these countries, brought to Africa via ship or land has become a hot and often discussed topic.. Just imagine..

Just imagine you had to walk for miles and miles just to get where you have to be and where you want to be.

Imagine you had to walk for hours to get to school or to the shops to buy groceries for your home.

Imagine you were already tired every day even before arriving at work

And what would your social life look like?

You would be restrained to the area where you live,

to the same place, to the same people,

Or you would be dependent on the good will of others to take you where you want to go.

For the ones who are sitting inside a car driving fast through vast and open country sides,

it might often seem, as if dark silhouettes are appearing at the side of the road coming out of nowhere. Blurry and vague. Silhouettes they are not - just people on foot with their own destination and determined to arrive. 

STOP AND EAT !

Finally an advertisement that does makes sense.

But does anyone listen ?

BRINGING HOME THE WOOD !

A truck loaded with wood on it's way to Mdantsane.

Daily scenes like this inspire me to my wire sculptures.

My art usually reflects scenes of the life I live and the environment I am in at a given moment in time. It is true that I do dream passionately of other places and further adventures.

But in the creative process I am influenced by people, situations, impressions and events that present themselves to me on a daily basis. 

Even words I overhear can stimulate new design ideas.

Wood is still all important in Africa. It means fire, warmth, food, hot tea, being social.

"The Landrover" is a humorous wire art sculpture series with the Landrover as a focal point. 

The Landrover is an institution. It is and will be an icon on the African continent. I am talking about the first models of course. Social patterns have changed and tasks that have been executed by foot are now completed by car.

Cars have liberated millions of tired African feet that have walked for centuries.

This little sculpture is made of recycled wire and carries a heavy load of beautiful driftwood.