Page 45 - Silver Lakes October Issue 2023

ARTS AND CRAFTS

His bronze sculptures,

alive with the spirit of
the African wilderness,

narrate tales of beauty,
survival and natural
harmony.

Part 1

ernie van der Vyver’s artistic journey
began in the heart of Bethal,
BMpumalanga, in 1969. He grew up
on an expansive farm where, from an early
age, pencils, paper and clay became his
trusted companions. This early immersion
in the arts and in nature laid the foundation
for his career as an artist whose bronze
masterpieces would reflect the spirit of the
wild.
His sculptures are exhibited in galleries and
“Growing up on a farm in Bethal was museums across South Africa, Europe and
really special,” recalls Bernie. “Animals the United States. They are celebrated for
and nature always surrounded me. I loved their realistic beauty and the underlying
collecting pictures of all kinds of creatures. message of wildlife conservation.
I studied their form and movement, and
started drawing them. This was how I first Bernie has certainly come full circle since
got into art. I think that being around so his childhood days moulding clay on a
much wildlife sparked my love for nature Bethal farm. Now a master bronze sculptor,
and art.” approach guarantees that each piece is a his journey attests to his dedication and
unique fusion of the client’s desire and the love for both his craft and his surroundings.
Bernie applied a steady hand and a creative artist’s expression.
mind to his work. Soon, his art evolved, Bernie is more than an artist; he’s a
going beyond those youthful sketches Bernie finds his muse in nature. He visits storyteller. His bronze sculptures, alive
and clay models. He ventured into the our national parks and wildlife reserves with the spirit of the African wilderness,
intricate and complex world of bronze on a regular basis, immersing himself in narrate tales of beauty, survival and natural
sculpture, honing his skills to create hyper- the world of his subjects. These field trips harmony. As a result, his works are sought-
realistic representations of wild animals. serve as his study sessions: he uses wildlife after both here and abroad.
He began exhibiting his work, his obvious photography as a reference point for what
talent increasingly drawing the attention of he is about to create. His love for the Don’t miss Part 2 in the next issue!
discerning art lovers and critics. natural world is palpable in every crevice
and curve of his bronze creations. You can follow Bernie’s extraordinary
Bernie’s sculptures are often custom-made. journey and explore more of his work on
Working closely with clients, he ensures These masterpieces have left an imprint his Facebook page (click here). You can also
that each piece aligns with their vision and on the global art scene and have shaped connect and get in touch with Bernie on
his artistic interpretation. This collaborative people’s perceptions of wildlife. LinkedIn (click here).

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