ABOUT
Gerhard van Niekerk was born in 1980 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. From a young age Gerhard developed a keen interest in the human body. Its individual uniqueness, beauty, strength and movement, but also its fragility, vulnerability and temporality.
Of equal interest to Gerhard is the nature of our existence and our experience thereof as living, conscious human beings.
These are also the underlying themes of his sculptures.
In his work Gerhard develop these themes by juxtaposing seemingly contradicting concepts as well as techniques. For example, hard vs soft; smooth vs rough; growth vs decay; permanent vs temporary; realistic vs abstract; classic vs contemporary.
This well-defined thematic approach, combined with his exceptional technical skill, results in not just beautifully made sculptures, but also thought-provoking pieces of art.
Gerhard prefers to model his sculptures in clay, where after he casts it in a unique marble and GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) composite he developed. This medium creates sculptures of immense strength and durability, while still allowing him to portray his interpretations of the human body.
In 2018, Gerhard entered into partnership with the world-renowned hospitality and tourism group, Village N Life, and launched Studio G art galleries.
Represented by some of the most highly regarded and iconic galleries in South Africa, Gerhard’s work is sought after by private collectors both locally and internationally.
News
Studio G: Gerhard Talks Art, Curation and His Vision
Gerhard van Niekerk is not only a talented artist and sculptor, he is also the curator for the beautiful Studio G Gallery at The Bay Hotel, and the maker of the exquisite sculpture currently on display on the lawns of Camps Bay Retreat. Van Niekerk has a personal connection with Village N Life, and especially […]
Remembering
Specific events can have a profound impact on one’s life and work. For artists, life events have always been a source of inspiration. The untimely death of a friend is a recent life event that not only shook me to my core, but also provided very clear and insistent inspiration of a recent sculpture. My […]
Launching Studio G Art Galleries
In 2018, I entered into a partnership with the world-renowned hospitality and tourism group, Village N Life, and launched Studio G art galleries. Studio G aims to provide a unique platform for established as well as emerging local artists to exhibit their work in some of South Africa’s most luxurious, exclusive and successful hotels. Studio […]
Installation at Camps Bay Retreat
I recently had the honour of installing a larger-than-life female torso sculpture at the exquisite Camps Bay Retreat. The installation was extra special for me for two reasons. Firstly, I used to work for Village and Life – the company that owns and operates the Camps Bay Retreat – and secondly, I once lived on […]
Fragments
As a figurative sculptor, my subject has always been the human body. The human body fascinates me – how beautiful it could be, what incredible feats it can achieve, how hard and far it can be pushed, but also how ugly, fragile and weak it can be. As a young boy I was diagnosed with […]
Knysna 20 Year Birthday Exhibition
9 November 2017 marked the opening of Knysna Fine Arts 20 Year Birthday Exhibition. Leading up to the exhibition, Trent Read, the owner of the gallery noted: “Two decades is a milestone in any business but to survive as a gallery in a small town is quite special. As in any worthwhile journey there have […]
VIDEOS
Female Sculptures
Male Sculptures
Body & Rock Sculptures
Coffee Tables
GALLERIES
Gerhard is represented by some of the most highly regarded and iconic galleries in South Africa.
In 2018, Gerhard entered into partnership with the world-renowned hospitality and tourism group, Village N Life, and launched Studio G art galleries. Studio G aims to provide a unique platform for established as well as emerging local artists to exhibit their work in some of South Africa’s most luxurious, exclusive and successful hotels.
Studio G at The Bay Hotel is the flagship gallery. The gallery is situated in the world renowned The Bay Hotel on the beachfront in Camps Bay, Cape Town. The gallery showcases some of the best contemporary South African artists and a must-see gallery for all art lovers and collectors visiting Cape Town.