UP’s art collection has two more valuable artworks

Roeline and Anton Smit in front of one of the sculptures which was donated to UP.

Anton, who was born in Boksburg, is an internationally renowned sculptor who won his first art competition at the age of 16. In 1979, he obtained first place in a competition of the South African Association of Arts. After that, he held exhibitions across the country and, in 1990, he enjoyed international success with exhibitions in Rome and Milan. From there he took part in numerous exhibitions in, among others, New York, Washington, Singapore, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, many of these exhibitions were on invitation. He achieved this success without any formal art training.

Anton let the University choose which of his sculptures they would like to have. The University chose The Burning Man and placed it in the courtyard of the Musaion on the Hatfield Campus, as well as Shield Figure, which can be seen in the pathway between the Musaion and the Administration Building.

There are a number of long-term exhibitions of Anton’s work across the country and a permanent exhibition of his work can be seen at the Anton Smit Sculpture Park in the Bronkhorstspruit area.