In a relatively short time South African sculptor Marco Olivier has taken his passion of creating artwork to be noticed and recognised not only by clients but, also by other artists. It is no coincidence that his larger than life and positive demeanour has been the driving force behind his success. And it is not just in artwork where he has been driven to achieve and succeed.

This enthusiasm for his work has resulted in Olivier being recognised at the World Art Dubai (WAD) exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre for the ninth time where art lovers and creatives of all ages gathered for a four-day extravaganza of artwork. WAD showcased 300 local and international artists from more than 60 countries. The event culminated in the coveted WAD Awards ceremony, where artists and galleries were recognised for their outstanding artwork and Olivier was awarded the WAD Best Artist Award.

South African sculptor Marco Olivier

“I am very proud to be internationally acknowledged but I can’t take all the credit. If it were not for the people that I have around me, and that includes everybody working in the foundry, I would not be on the path that I am. Take this WAD exhibition for example. We had three weeks to create my sculpture, manufacture it and then prepare to fly it to Dubai. My creation that won the award was virtually a life-size horse manufactured in bronze. Besides this sculpture we also took nearly 400kgs of other artworks with us. Besides the foundry work there was also plenty of logistical organising that had to be done.”

“My knowledge of the foundry industry was very limited when I started this venture eight years ago. But I love to learn and participate. I remember approaching the late Robin Portlock of Castco for advice on the casting process but at the time he was not obliging, for very good reason. Later when I was up and running, he was very complimentary and helpful and as a result we became very friendly. He commented that what I had learnt in two years took him 20 years to learn so I was very appreciative.”

“There’s an element of art in every casting, but it’s often overlooked that there is an impressive degree of technical proficiency at work in the numerous bronze art foundries. Cars and aircraft are filled with castings, but a well-crafted sculpture will capture public attention. It’s the creativity and skill of such foundries that can make the world appreciate the ingenuity of metalcasting.”

Different bronzes form gallery type visuals on the one side wall

The 2 000m² facility where Olivier operates from is both functional and beautiful

Transforming a sculpture idea and design into a bronze sculpture requires a well-equipped foundry, which is what Olivier has established at his Kensington, Cape Town facility. His technical background of qualifying as an aircraft engineer, first with the SA Air Force in Valhalla before moving on to Atlas Aircraft where he worked on Harvard aeroplanes, amongst others, has given him the know-how and inspiration to get his hands dirty on the floor with the rest of his staff.

“Pouring hot metal into a wax casting and then seeing the result once you have done the initial ‘cleaning’ is very rewarding. We make our own polystyrene shaped moulds and use the lost wax process, hence my approach to Robin. It is one of the world’s oldest metal casting technologies.”

“The majority of our art is done in bronze. Bronze’s tensile strength allows compositions with minimal supports, unthinkable in materials such as marble, wax and plaster from which sculptures are initially created. This results in tactile bronze sculptures that will last many centuries.”

“The skill of transforming one material into another and to preserve all of the detail of the original is challenging. At a time when contemporary art is criticised for lacking craft, bronze casting is a refreshing antidote. A bronze sculpture could take up to four months to be sculpted, moulded and then cast into bronze. It is a highly-skilled, labour-intensive process.”

From animals to human figures and beautifully detailed faces, it seems there is nothing Marco and his team can’t make

“I participate in what we call the Somerset Mall Art Mile, which showcases sculptures from my collection throughout the mall, adding an element of surprise to your shopping experience. This strategic public art partnership with Somerset Mall was probably the first retail property to partner with a local artist. Somerset Mall has original pieces from my collection on display throughout the mall walkways, including new releases and never before seen sculptures.”

“But we are equally adept at using the silicone rubber mould process when required. The soft silicone rubber forms an exact negative of the positive original held in the right shape by a rigid fibreglass outer case. Multi-section moulds are then welded together with millimetre precision.”

“I designed and manufactured our own furnaces, which are fired with diesel. One accommodates up to 300kgs of bronze and the other one 140kgs. We even make our own tooling and jigs and fixtures. I can’t let my technical training go to waste.”

“We prefer working with bronze but we will cast in aluminium as well where we use a sand process. We have started to do some floor casting now as well. Mainly artwork but if we get a request for engineering castings, we will not turn them away.”

“Once cast there is also the finishing aspect or otherwise known as patinating. In an industrial foundry they call it fettling and a coating is applied where required. There could be heat treatment and other processes, depending on the safety critical aspect and where the casting will be used. Here in an art foundry the bronze sculpture is heated up and applied with a wide range of chemicals, which form the finished patina. In many cases I like to do my own patination, as I consider this to be as important as the colour of paint on a canvas. There could also be sanding and texturing that needs to take place.”

The 2 000m² facility where Olivier operates from is both functional and beautiful. Tools hang like a museum display on the wall. A colourful figurine either hangs from the roof or is lying on the floor. Different bronzes form gallery type visuals on the one side wall. The furnaces are not far from these and other bronzes that are on display. The floor foundry testing is also being done amongst everything else. There is also commissioned work that you could bump into. Two full size cheetah castings and one rhino head are on the floor, maybe not strategically placed but still adding to the atmosphere that is organised and is definitely not chaos.

A replica of the virtually life-size horse manufactured in bronze that won Olivier first prize at the World Art Dubai (WAD) exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre for the ninth time where art lovers and creatives of all ages gathered for a four-day extravaganza of artwork. WAD showcased 300 local and international artists from more than 60 countries

“There are many bronzes on my floor or wall or hanging from the roof that have never left the building. It is like selling a house – there will always be the one buyer or collector.”

The models and bronzes are aesthetic and they aren’t clutter. They are core to the long-term business of Olivier’s industry. In many art foundries you will see multiple castings of one sculpture, as requested by the artist. The first is the commissioned work. The rest are an investment in the hope that later buyers will want replicas. Not at this art foundry. Every single bronze is unique. Bronze is a big commitment – to make, to buy, and to display – a lifetime commitment at least.

“I believe all my sculptures are masterpieces and in them I share my innate passion for creative expression. In some cases, we are commissioned by clients to do what they want but what you see at clients’ properties or in public spaces is generally my creation. Texture has always fascinated me, whether it was rock or bark. All the natural elements have always been my passion and texture has influenced my past as a sculptor and will be a big part of my future.”

“This is very evident in my bronzes. They are not artwork with a smooth finish. There is plenty of expression in the texture and then the patinating. All this has to be taken into account.”

“The demand for public sculpture, the bread and butter of the industry, has shifted. The tradition of filling commissions designed to become iconic public symbols is always wrought with interpretation, as it should be. There have been some high-profile cases in South Africa. I will do public figure work if requested but it is not the type of work I seek. We specialise in figure and face sculpting.”

Could this be the future of the rhino – seen in art form only

“Cape Town has become a thriving area for artists using all forms of material. There has been a huge increase in artists commissioning bronzes but not the equivalent increase in art foundries. I am not unusual in that I am the sculptor and also the art foundry but we are an association of very few. Having set up my business this way allows me to be more expressive and to produce more. When you are controlled by commissioning or costs it certainly does not allow you to be creative.”

“There are many bronzes on my floor or wall or hanging from the roof that have never left the building. It is like selling a house – there will always be the one buyer or collector.”

“But we don’t ever restrict ourselves. I participate in what we call the Somerset Mall Art Mile, which showcases sculptures from my collection throughout the mall, adding an element of surprise to your shopping experience. This strategic public art partnership with Somerset Mall was probably the first retail property to partner with a local artist. Somerset Mall has original pieces from my collection on display throughout the mall walkways, including new releases and never before seen sculptures.”

“The art can be found throughout the mall with key sculptures such as Surrender Man, Dancing in the Moonlight, The Warriors, and Call Me Dreamer (Faces) to mention a few, and are positioned strategically in the main passages. Yes we do have names for our art. It is essential.”

A replica of one of a set of three cheetahs done for a client

From animals to human figures and beautifully detailed faces, it seems there is nothing Marco and his team can’t make. With his work shipping internationally, Marco is living his childhood dream. Lisa, one of Marco’s daughters has joined him in the path to deliver her art in bronze sculptures. Marco’s ex-wife Mia is the Sales Director and brother-in-law Aldo has also joined him as the factory manager.

Marco Olivier is more than just a lone artist on a mission. He is part of a close-knit family business that is focused on providing exceptional service to their loyal clients. Marco’s faith and humility guide his actions, and his commitment to excellence has built his brand into what it is today. Though he is generous and kind, he knows how to take charge when the situation calls for it. Marco is truly a force to be reckoned with in the art world.

“Art is all about love and making people happy. And looking after each other. Feel good art carries inspiring messages given by the artist. This is what we strive to do here.”

For further details visit www.marco-olivier.com