Notes

Sarel Petrus is a sculptor who explores his relationship with the natural world through bronze and wood. His artistic practice is deeply rooted in the memories collected from inanimate found objects, allowing him to journey into forgotten pasts and imagined futures. After earning a Fine Art degree from the Tshwane University of Technology in 2004, Sarel honed his skills in bronze casting while working for eight years in the studio of prominent South African sculptor Guy du Toit. He has since participated in a robust exhibition schedule, earning accolades such as a Top 10 Award at the ABSA L'atelier competition and a Sculpture Merit at the Thami Mnyele Awards. Sarel's labor-intensive sculpting process fosters a meditative flow of consciousness, shaping evanescent notions of being into tangible forms. Drawing inspiration from childhood memories, he casts Jacaranda branches in bronze, reflecting on how memories evolve with knowledge and understanding, and connecting his past with his artistic journey.