It is hard not to be inspired by a man who has literally changed the world and affected so many lives. When given the opportunity to sculpt someone I could think of no-one I’d rather sculpt.
There have been many good sculptures of Nelson Mandela; Some focus on his struggle and suffering or others depict those first famous steps of regained freedom. When I chose to sculpt him I knew I wanted to show the positive character of his later years.
This is the Nelson Mandela that I saw in the media as I was growing up. Only later would I understand the enormity of what his choice to be a loving peaceful leader had meant.
I have and continue to support a charity called SOS AFRICA.
A charity whose values are based around one of Mandela’s famous quotes;
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
SOS AFRICA empowers underprivileged African township children through the provision of education. I hope to be able to sell my sculpture to raise funds for this charity.
Chocolate Slave
I sculpted a slave boy carrying a sack of cocoa pods and I then moulded and casted the sculpture in resin to look like chocolate. I wanted to evoke people to consider the slaves that are often involved in making uncertified chocolate that they buy.
“I am a modelmaker by trade, currently I work primarily on architectural models. I don’t always think of my self as a fine artist but I do create sculptures sometimes. Where I can try to use my making and design skills to create or get involved with projects for good causes.