The William Humphreys Art Gallery is delighted to announce that Jonathan van der Walt, a visual artist based in Gqeberha, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Artist-In-Residency programme. This residency is dedicated to the memory of the renowned artist Dumisani Mabasa, who was a permanent resident artist at WHAG until his untimely passing.

The 2024 WHAG’s Artist-In-Residency call received a multitude of exceptional applications. However, Jonathan van der Walt’s innovative and compelling approach to sculpture appealed the most to WHAG’s curatorial strategy.

“At WHAG, we firmly believe in the transformative potential of this residency programme, providing artists with opportunities for growth, inspiring fresh perspectives on our museum, and contributing to a remarkable collection that will captivate WHAG visitors for years to come,” said Chepape Makgato, chief curator at WHAG.

Jonathan vd Walt – photo by Fanjan Combrink

Jonathan van der Walt’s residency is scheduled to take place from February 12 to March 28, 2024. During this period, WHAG will host a public lecture, a workshop at a local school, and an exhibition showcasing the artist’s work.

Van der Walt, a visual artist with a passion for sculpture, merges traditional and new media by combining lost-wax bronze casting with digital modelling and 3D printing. His work is motivated by a love for form, exploring the object in space and the presence and power found in its contours. His portfolio is both naturalistic and conceptually tongue-in-cheek, with the aesthetic and medium heavily dependent on the theme and concept. The result is an eclectic collection that spans small-scale sculptures and 3D printed miniatures to large-scale public sculptures and boardroom focal pieces.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan van der Walt as our Artist-In-Residence. His unique approach to sculpture aligns perfectly with the spirit of Dumisani Mabasa’s legacy, and we look forward to witnessing the impact of his work during his residency at the William Humphreys Art Gallery,” said Nelly Mkhize, director at WHAG.