HENRICO PAUL GREYLING – 2024 MERIT AWARD WINNER FROM PRETORIA

Henrico Paul GREYLING (23)

Pretoria

Through here a flower passed

Steel

220 cm x 115 cm x 20 cm

Through here a flower passed is a steel sculpture that invites a physical interaction from the viewer. The artwork draws from the dimensions of an archway that led to a familiar room at my grandparent’s house. The archway is a symbol of life and death, having been the passage through which many family members have moved, of whom my grandmother is the only one yet to return, and evidently, she never will. By constructing the archway from pieces of rusted metal, the passage of time is reinforced through the shifting colours caused by the rust. But at the same time, the different patterns and colours caused by the rust and the process of fixing different-sized steel patches together to form the whole create a parallel with the patches of material that my grandmother often used to fix my or my brother’s clothes. Greyling invites the viewer to walk through the archway, allowing the act of movement to become a part of the artwork; a reminder of being alive.

Q&A

Tell us what your reaction was when you received the news that your work had been selected.

Naturally, I was quite surprised and also very glad that I picked up the phone – I was busy working on an artwork when I got the call. But following the call, I was also proud of myself for creating works that resonated with the judging panel.

Is this the first time that you have entered the competition? If so, why, and if not, how many times and why is this competition important to you?

This is the fourth time I have entered the competition and I have been fortunate to have been a part of the exhibition each time. This is the first time my work has been selected for a prize which I am glad about. This competition is important to me because it reminds me of art’s ability to inspire in a city like Pretoria – a city not always associated with the artistic scene. For the duration of the exhibition, works from across the country hang and stand proud in the Pretoria Art Museum, reflecting the diversity of our country’s talent and so also promoting art in our city by creating a cultural hotspot. The competition also promotes artistic experimentation and art-making methods that move beyond convention which is important for the continual growth of art itself.

Tell us a little about your artistic journey up until the point of entering Sasol New Signatures 2024.

I graduated at the end of 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (with distinction) from the University of Pretoria. In terms of my artistic journey, my studies taught me how to think about the processes and choices that form and inform the creation of an artwork. The works that I created during my studies allowed me to be a part of several group exhibitions which includes a recent installation of my work at the Nirox Sculpture Park.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career as an artist to date?

My grandmother. My grandmother was an artist herself and she introduced me to many of the artistic mediums that I still use today. She not only taught me the basics of drawing, but I also learned how to appreciate different materials and processes by looking at her work and listening to her talk about her work. I should also mention my parents and brother, who continue to support my journey and growth as an artist.

Tell us a little about why you created the piece(s) that you submitted.

In true full-circle fashion, both my works are based on elements or aspects that remind me of my grandmother. On the one hand, Boublokkies vir kinders / ‘Building blocks for kids’ draws from the toys that my grandmother bought when we were toddlers. On the other hand, Through here a flower passed is based on the archway that led to the room where my grandmother spent the last few years of her life. I allowed ideas of a child’s innocence and emotional maturity to merge when I created the artworks as a way to remember aspects of my grandmother through forms that still have a physical presence in my life. While tapping into the feelings of loss, informed by my material and process choices, I wanted to create works that have a contemplative value, urging the viewer to think, move and touch, reminding them of life itself.

Tell us about your preferred medium(s)...and why?

I always find it difficult to answer this question because I believe that I certain medium can convey a certain concept more effectively than another. Thus, I allow myself to experiment with the medium that I think works best for the concept. In this case, I used sculpture, because the materiality of the work and their physicality conveyed my concepts the best.

When people view your work, what reaction/response are you hoping to create.

I hope to create a contemplative response. I have found that my works are often subtle and quiet in relating their concepts to the viewer and it is only through careful consideration and motivated thinking that the narratives start to reveal themselves. Therefore, I hope the viewer will take the time to experience the work, not for a mere ten seconds but perhaps ponder a while on the materiality, the forms, and their own presence in relation to the work.

Why do you think your work was chosen as one of the winning works?

I believe my works were chosen because although they might be minimalistic in their executions, the consideration of material and form deliver my concepts effectively. I also believe my works were chosen because, as previously mentioned, they do not try to shout at the viewer and convey my personal feelings of loss rather quietly. My works were also created from an extremely personal perspective but effectively relate to universal ideas.

How would winning the competition change your life?

Winning the competition would not necessary ‘change’ my life but, rather, would give me the confidence and monetary support to bring some of my ambitious ideas to life. Considering the publicity and solo opportunity that comes with the winning prize, it would allow me to effectively establish myself as an artist.

Which South African artists do you admire and why?

Mossie Greyling, my grandmother, worked in a wide variety of mediums. Her careful consideration and care for mundane objects and materials inspires my own processes.

Do you have an idea of what your solo exhibition would look like?  

Yes, I do, and it would push conventionality.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you, Sasol, for continuing to promote art though this competition. And thank you Nandi from the Association of the Arts Pretoria, for all you do for the competition. Thank you for the interview, and allowing me to talk a bit about my work.