Sculpted in bronze
His bronzes are not merely fabulously accurate casts that exhibit an astonishing commitment to delicacy and detail.
This month, the Everard Read gallery in Rosebank is pleased to present a collection of recent sculptures by Nic Bladen.
Chairperson of the Everard Read group of galleries, Mark Read acknowledged Bladen a world-renowned contemporary sculptor who celebrates the miracle of plant life.
“His bronzes are not merely fabulously accurate casts that exhibit an astonishing commitment to delicacy and detail. They are also mesmerizing due to the intensity of his art which uniquely, I believe, interrogates the very essence of each plant that captures his attention. Anyone who has gazed in wonder at the enduring physical structure of a plant or its delightful ephemeral flower will find the art of Nic Bladen astonishing. It is no surprise therefore that his sculpture is sought after internationally,” observed Read.
He added that this group of bronzes focus primarily on a few of the myriad forms of succulent plants that have adapted to the arid climate that holds sway over much of South Africa. Read said, “Succulents have evolved in response to the paucity of water by employing a fascinating and diverse array of adaptations that allow them to thrive and reproduce in extraordinarily harsh habitats.”
Bladen’s exhibition Arid will be on showcase Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm until 31 October.
Details: Everard Read Gallery is on 6 Jellicoe Avenue in Rosebank.
