Anton Smit

Anton Smit is completely self-taught. He entered his first sculpture competition at the age of sixteen and won the first prize. Nine years later he was again awarded first prize when he won the Sasol New Signatures competition. This was followed by numerous exhibitions across the country and abroad. His work is represented in a number of public and private art collections in South Africa and also in many private collections worldwide. The artist is fascinated by the human form, and he uses it often in his artworks. The exaggerated proportions and elegant linesof the human form and the intuitive marks made on it, speak of the artist’s search for the fundamental character of man and the creation of humankind through divine mediation. The viewer completes the lifecycle that Smit starts with every piece, and this completion is made possible by the power and rhythm of the organic forms.The textures and changing colours of the oxidising metal add to the mystery.

Anton Smit is volkome selfopgelei. Hy neem op sestienjarige ouderdom aan sy eerste beeldhoukompetisie deel en wen die eerste prys. Nege jaar later wen hy die eerste prys by die Sasol Nuwe Handtekeninge-kompetisie. Hierna neem hy aan talle uitstallings in Suid-Afrikaen die buiteland deel. Sy werk word verteenwoordig in verskeie private en openbare versamelings in Suid-Afrika en baie private versamelings in die buiteland. Die menslike vorm boei hom en kom herhaaldelik in sy kuns voor. Die oordrewe proporsies en elegante lyne van die menslike vorm en die intuïtiewe merke daarop lewer bewys van die kunstenaar se soeke na die fundamentele karakter van die mens en sy skepping deur goddelike tussenkoms. Die toeskouer voltooi die lewenssirkel wat Smit met elke stuk begin, en vir hierdie voltooiing word op die krag en ritme van die organiese vorms staat gemaak. Die tekstuur en veranderende kleure van oksiderende metaal dra tot die misterie by.

This text is adapted from the artist's website https://www.antonsmit.co.za/