11 Nov Carol Cauldwell joins Rossouw Modern
Over the years, Carol Cauldwell has developed a solid reputation and a large global following for her
whimsical sculptures that appeal to the nostalgic yearning in all of us for a more innocent world in
which dreams come true. Her works grace numerous important private collections across most
continents.
Carol was born in Germiston in 1968 and grew up in the picturesque surrounding of the
Magaliesburg. Inspired by her father’s love for art, she joined the Johannesburg School of Art, Ballet,
Drama and Music, first specialising in music until she transferred to art. She acquired a Diploma in
Ceramics from WITS Technicon where she excelled in sculpture. This led to her establishing a Pottery
Studio in Magaliesburg that expanded into a factory in Modderfontein that was eventually hand-
painting over 4000 units per day for chain stores.
As part of a journey of self-discovery and healing, Carol turned to Iconography and painted
numerous icons and two Orthodox Churches which she clads with stylised patterns and
Inconography, yet throughout this time she yearned for 3-Dimensional work. In 2011 she took the
decision to fulfil a lifelong dream to start to sculpt in wax and bronze casting and this has remained
her core focus ever since.
The tremendous discipline required to manage a factory creating over 4000 hand painted ceramics
per day gave Carol the skills required to become one of South Africa’s most prolific artists with an
exceptional focus and work rate. The style of her artworks has been described as ‘Magic Realism’.
Carol enjoys pushing the boundaries to the limits in terms of design and materials and this has led to
her decision to open her own foundry.
‘Creating artworks is a healing process for me. Allowing me to try to deal with the myriad of
injustices that we come face to face with each day. My sculptures take a critical view of social,
political, and cultural issues engaging with them in an almost sarcastic, satirical, and humorous way.
I use fairy tales, fantasy, wordplay, nursery rhymes, illustration and icons to deconstruct and
comment on issues of injustice in its different forms.
Whilst I have and continue to work across different mediums, I am passionate about bronze, and love
the permanence and durability of it. I am keenly aware of the durability of time and enjoy the idea
that my artworks and their message will remain well into the future for the benefit of others’, Carol
Cauldwell.
Exhibitions:
Solo: Arteye June 2013
Solo: Arteye November 2014
Group: (Angela banks, Kobus Rousseau and Carol Cauldwell), Association of Arts, Sept 2015
Group: (Angela banks, Kobus Rousseau and Carol Cauldwell), Trent Gallery, May 2016
Group: (Angela banks, Kobus Rousseau and Cauldwell), Gallery 101, June 2016
Group: Knysna Fine Art Gallery, 20th Anniversary, Nov 2017
Solo: Knysna Fine Art Gallery, September 2018
Group: Numerous exhibitions in Franschoek with Everard Read from 2016 to current
Group: Introspection: Art of Contemporary Africa, The Melrose Gallery, July 2022
Solo: A Freckle Past a Hare, The Melrose Gallery, August 2022
You can request a catalogue of available work at [email protected] while we’re busy setting up her webpage.