HERMANUS – The popular Hermanus FynArts exhibition Sculpture on the Cliffs was installed at Gearing’s Point over the last two weeks.
A highlight on the Hermanus arts calendar, the works of 12 sculptors are proudly showcased this year. The theme this year is “Vertical Animal”, which is curated by Gavin Younge. It focuses on the defence of the rights of all life forms, human and non-human.
Local sculptor Jaco Sieberhagen, who is among the 12, says the title of his sculpture is Taking flight. For the last few years his sculptures have focused on positive energy and thoughts.
“For too many people life has become so difficult and challenging that they tend to focus on the negatives and problems,” he says. “In the process people lose the ability to see the light of new possibilities.
“Style-wise I wanted to see if I could express thoughts and especially attitude in a visual way. I started to combine faces and later figures with flying birds to express a specific energy and attitude.”
Sieberhagen’s sculpture consists of two young boys running full of energy and optimism.
“Their bodies break up into flying seagulls to enhance the energy of the running boys,” he says. “The title expresses this positive optimism that we all need at the moment.”
Sieberhagen says he has always had a longing to be creative and dreamed of creating art, but was never confident in his abilities to follow his dreams.
“Perhaps while at school it was more important for me to play rugby and be involved with everything boys of my age were fascinated by,” Sieberhagen says.
Years later he was given the opportunity to be involved as an occasional student at Rhodes University, which fast-tracked his involvement in art.
“Making sculptures came more naturally to me and I progressed from using clay as medium to sculpting with wood and currently to the laser cut sculptures I am doing now. It was a very natural development process.”
Sieberhagen explains his creative process, and specifically how he uses a sculpting programme and laser technology.
“I create shadow sculptures from steel,” he says. “The specific style I am working in, and even the theme of a sculpture is the result of a process of growth in skill and understanding what one wishes to express.
“Eventually a sculpture is only a visual expression of what one wants to communicate. One’s specific style and material are the vehicle that carries the story.”
Sieberhagen says his goal is to focus on the things around him and the world he is living in, which allows his sculptures to communicate clearly on matters that are relevant.