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Sarah Richards was born in Durban; her childhood was spent in various places around Southern Africa. She returned to Durban to study Fine Art, majoring in sculpture at Durban Technikon (1985-1990). During the next four years she travelled overseas to gain experience and insight before returning to Durban to make art and to teach drawing, painting and sculpture to adults. She completed her Master’s degree in Fine Art (Cum Laude) at the Durban University of Technology in 2008. Sarah is now living and practising her art in the KZN Midlands.
During her early studies, Sarah began to focus on developing the skill of juxtaposing detail and anatomical  accuracy with gestural marks which reflect the process of creating the sculpture. As light dances over the surface of these expressive marks in the bronze medium, the static artwork becomes animated and alive; it celebrates the human experience without apology. Sarah’s work appeals to the passions which drive us and the energy that binds us; she touches the spirit that flows through the web of our deepest, most essential characteristics. Her work is less about rendering the world as we see it and think of it, and more about the world which we feel and within which we move.
The important process of creating each sculpture, and in particular, the early stages of modelling, are an exciting time of discovery. Sarah uses a mixture of media including wax and plasticine which allow fluidity and detail, rough Rhinolite for texture and structure. These allow an adventurous exploration into a deeper understanding of the chosen subject. In this creative process an intimate relationship develops between subject and artist.
The animal and bird sculptures explore Sarah’s love of nature and wonder at the different characteristics of each creature, waiting to be discovered through close encounters and study. The figure sculptures represent an emotional journey in exploring the human form and movement. They are based on
her own personal experiences and observations.
Through paint, Sarah uses colour and texture to expose the emotive essence of her different topics. For example, she is curious about how the apparent simplicity of a hill seen from a distance becomes so complex in close-up.
Her paintings reflect this, but as a metaphor in reverse: life seems so complex; all the small details can bog one down and seem overwhelming, or on another day they may be exciting. Sarah’s work shows that by stepping back and viewing things from a distance, one will realise that after all, it is just a simple, calm hill.
Here is a descriptive article by Carin Goodwin on Sarah’s work - Click here
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Qualifications:
Masters in Fine Art at Durban institute of Fine Art (DUT) South Africa – 2008 Cum Laude.
(To order a copy of the thesis on Artist's Block as a book please click here) Higher Diploma in Fine Art at Technikon Natal South Africa (1989)
Mediums
Sarah has experience using a variety of media. The three-dimensional media she uses most often are wax and plasticine; these are used to model the subjects before they are cast in Bronze at a foundry. She has used concrete as a direct modelling medium and also as a medium to be cast into. She has extensive skills in mould-making using silicon rubber, plaster-of-Paris and resins. Other media such as the acrylic-based resin Material 1, polyurethane resins and Rhinolite have also been extensively explored and understood.
The two-dimensional media she works in are oil paints on board and canvas, acrylics and water-colour. Drawings are made in charcoal, pastels, ink or a combination of any of these as mixed-media compositions.
Exhibitions:
- Exhibited at Joburg Art Fair, September 2011, with DTI.
- artSPACE Durban, Solo exhibition of bronze sculpture and painting, 'FURTHER", August 2011 (for pictures click here)
- 'Inspirations' - Exhibition in Hilton with Jocelyn Boyley and Marion Lowe, May 2011
- Foundrymans Collective - A Collaborative bronze sculpture exhibition, Paarl - 2009 (to see photos click here)
- Group sculptor’s exhibition, Groundcover - 2009
- Private Charity exhibitions – from 2009
- St Anne’s College, Charity Fundraising exhibition, 2008
- Willowdale Lodge, Kokstad, 2008
- ArtSPACE Durban, February 2008, Masters Exhibition of Oil paintings (Solo) – Forward (to see photos click here)
- The Grillroom Café, Innes Rd, Durban, August 2002. (Solo). Mixed media drawings - Ecstasy
- NSA Gallery, Durban 1998 of small bronze and concrete sculpture (Solo).
- Karabuni Hills in Nottingham Rd, July 2007, Bronze sculptures – Exhibit 2
- Artlink Gallery, Muster on South coast, December 2007
- Art for conservation charity auction 2004 - 2010 – Donated and exhibited sculptures and paintings
Currently showing work: Cherie de Villiers Gallery , JHB - Rosebank Mall; Fordoun Hotel/Spa, Nottingham Road, KZN Midlands; Stellenbosch Gallery, Stellenbosch; Lindy Van Niekerk Gallery; Capetown; Dimitrov Gallery, Dullstroom.
Teaching:
- Lecturing sculpture to 1st year students at DUT (Durban University of Technology) (2009)
- Creative workshops. Experiential, fun, nature based, for adults wanting to enjoy and engage with their own unique creative process. For more
- Skill-based Workshops on request: Portrait bust or full figure modelling (with model), introductory mould making and casting, silicon mould making and bronze casing in conjunction with The Goodwin Foundry.
- Taught drawing and painting to adults in Durban at her own private art school: adults, young adults and children for 14 years
- Taught art and crafts to Streetboys at the Mariannhill Streetwise centre between 1994 – 1999.
- Three years teaching drawing to 1st year students of The Centre for Fine Art and Design(CFAD). (1996 – 1998)
- Papier mache skills to adults and children for the NSA and The Hub outreach programs. (1994)
- Art and craft to children in the UK and USA. (1990 -1994)
Commissions:
Sarah enjoys creating art works which merge the client’s vision of their chosen subject with her own expressive style and vision. This can be anything from naturalistic animals, birds or figures to abstract or gestural forms, from larger than life for outdoors to small and intricate for indoor positions. Click here for pictures and information.
A selection of recent commissions:
- Portrait bust of Mr and Mrs Bhagwandeen, bronze, 2011
- Clifton Memorial sculpture, KZN Midlands, bronze, 2010
- Bronze relief of Mr and Mrs JB Patel, ML Sultan Campus, The JB Patel Research Commons, 2010
- Life-size Nyala Bull for private game farm development – Bronze - 2006
- Edition of 18 bronze Fish Eagles for the Players and VIP’s of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Sun City - 2006
- Larger than life Portrait Bust, cast in Bronze, for private Game farm development in Mozambique - 2008
- Ploughing oxen trophy for the Ombudsman for short term insurance, 2008
- Portrait Bust – Mr Reddy founder of a school in Chatsworth, Durban - 2009
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