Minki and the Starfish by Johan Steyn is a unique exhibition of sculptures at Art@Africa, where owner and impresario Dirk Durnez, has joined forces with this prolific sculptor and painter to unveil this collection in a series of exquisite bronze sculptures.
The genesis of Minki’s enchanting narrative is rooted in Dirk Durnez’s profound connection with South Africa, his home since 1997. It’s a place that has stirred his spirit and awakened a profound commitment to conservation. This visionary partnership was further elevated by Steyn’s artistic vision, his wellspring of inspiration, and his belief that art serves as a universal language, allowing for the purest form of self-expression.
Art has been an intrinsic part of Johan Steyn’s life from a young age. He grew up in Pretoria, introduced to the world of creative expression by his father Louis Steyn- an established Batik artist. With a motivation to forge his own artistic path, Johan developed a fascination with the details of expression cast by light. This interest led him to try his hand at capturing these features with engraving techniques. Steyn’s captivation for observing and ultimately portraying the essence and character of living beings has shaped his drive to dive into his sculpting journey. His perseverance and will to create impactful creations has brought him recognition in design and coin development which has led him to become the chief engraver in South Africa. By 2016 Johan Steyn had fully enveloped himself with a commitment to painting and sculpture.
He considers nature to be his teacher, saying: “I think for me, all the answers to art are in nature. All the ratios, the relationships. When we look at nature normally, it is naturally beautiful. Nature is the place where we study. That is my university.”
Leatherback Turtle
Minki and the Starfish is a continuation of Johan Steyn’s 2022 exhibition Minki and the Sunbird. In the final sculpture of this series, Minki rides on the wings of a Martial Eagle. With her hair blowing in the wind, she flies from the grasslands in the North to the Southern Seas where a new adventure awaits her. Here she will meet the life that is held beneath the waves.
The heart of this extraordinary collection speaks of a delightful, ever-curious little girl named Minki. Her explorations along the Cape coast and subsequent discoveries offer a playful, yet meaningful perspective on marine life. Each sculpture tells you a chapter of Minki’s unfolding adventures, inviting you to dive deeper into her world, to see the world anew, as if through the eyes of a child.
Come to the opening on 7 December from 18H30-22H00 and enter the magical world of Minki and the Starfish!
WHAT: Johan Steyn – Minki and the Starfish
WHERE: Art@Africa, Clocktower Centre, Silo District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: 07 December 18H30-22H00
INFO: Dirk Durnez: T 082 774 1078 | E dirk@artatafrica.art | VISIT
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