FERDI B. DICK

(b. 1977 Ixopo, South Africa)

Ferdi B. Dick started off as a 3D-animator and has subsequently established himself as a contemporary sculptor, currently based in Cape Town. His utilisation of cutting-edge computational technology, combined with the ancient technique of lost-wax bronze casting (and recent explorations into modern stainless steel sculpting), results in a body of three-dimensional work with exaggerated features and forms that are directly influenced by cartoons and animation. He uses innocent, child-like characters with strong personal emotion connections, thus re-appropriating popular culture and placing it in the realm of fine art.

Ferdi’s sculptures start out as digital models, finding material form via 3D printing, and finally are cast in bronze or stainless steel.

Ferdi has a strong passion (and compassion) for animals, in particular for wildlife and domestic animals. His focus is in trying to capture their emotions from the inside-out, as these animals are unable to project and speak out their own fear, happiness or anger. By anthropomorphising animals in animated, action-orientated poses, Ferdi’s artwork focuses on the emotional state of his subjects. Viewers empathise with the creatures’ perspectives, and environmental issues which affect them.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023      Lion’s Breath, solo, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022     3D in 22: South African Contemporary Sculpture, group show, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

                Things I’d like to remember, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2021     Summer, group show, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

              The Long Table, group show, SMAC, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2020     STILL, group show, Everard Read, South Africa and UK

              Imago, group show, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

                Closer, Still, group show, Southern Guild, Cape Town, South Africa

2019     Winter, group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

SELF, group exhibition, curated by Pierre le Riche, Gallery at Glen Carlou, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2018     The Salon Art + Design Group Show, New York, USA

              Extra Ordinary, group show, Southern Guild, Cape Town, South Africa

Foundry Proof, group show, Southern Guild, Cape Town, South Africa

PUBLIC SCULPTURE

2022     Lucky Tiger Astronaut, monumental sculpture and sculpture series commissioned by the city of Taiyuan, China, to commemorate the year of the tiger, as well as the launch of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft.

2021     Ox, monumental sculpture commissioned by the city of Taiyuan, China, to commemorate the year of the ox.