Located in Kiepersol, near Hazyview in Mpumalanga, Pro Art Bronze Foundry is and isn’t your typical foundry. Sure, molten metal, typically bronze, is poured to create castings – and in this case, various sculptures – made from hand crafted moulds. But two things stand out that make Pro Art Bronze Foundry uniquely different from your conventional foundry.
Firstly, the foundry is set amongst a subtropical, Lowveld climate of fruit orchards and macadamia trees but more importantly, the foundry is owned and run by a lady – Marietha Van De Venter.
Clearly passionate about the work she and her team do, Van De Venter’s story is by no means unique, but it is an inspiring and successful one none-the-less.
Marietha Van De Venter working with a wax-coated mould that has had layers of ceramic applied to it
“I began my career in 2007 as an administrative clerk at a bronze foundry, working in a gallery of bronze sculptures. Realising that an office job wasn’t quite for me, I transitioned to hands-on work by making moulds for sculptures created by various artists. I quickly developed a passion for crafting moulds from rubber.”
“Due to my spouse’s job circumstances, I had to resign and relocate. But after two years, I returned to the foundry, this time as a manager, to be closer to home for my family. During this period, I started creating cold castings (resin sculptures) in my garage as a hobby. In 2016, I founded Pro Art Moldings, which I operated out of our garage for six years and continue to run.”
“In 2022, I seized the opportunity to set up my own business in the original bronze foundry location, establishing Pro Art Bronze Foundry (Pty) Ltd. I’m fortunate to have reunited with some of the best team members that had previously worked at the foundry and who now work alongside me, delivering high-quality results.”
Various bronze sculptures produced by Pro Art Bronze Foundry
The mould making process
“Under the umbrella of Pro Art Moldings (specialising in cold castings and resin) and Pro Art Bronze Foundry (Pty) Ltd (focusing on hot castings and bronze), we are able to produce and finish high-quality sculptures and provide excellent service to our customers. The final touch is the unique patina applied to the sculptures. It’s a privilege for me to collaborate with artists and contribute to their work.”
“The process begins when we receive a clay sculpture from our clients. From this sculpture, we create a silicone rubber mould.”
“This mould is then taken to the wax section, where it is coated with wax. After the wax has dried, we refine the mould by removing seam lines and runners, adding any necessary finishing touches. Next, the wax-coated mould is moved to the ceramic section, where multiple layers of ceramic are applied over the wax mould.”
Elaborate patina work that has been done to add the finishing touches
Patina work being done on a bronze sculpture of a buffalo
“Once the ceramic layers have dried, we remove the wax, leaving behind only the ceramic shell. The ceramic shell is then placed in an oven, or “Igloo,” heated to 980°C to harden. While the ceramic shell is heating, we melt bronze. The molten bronze is then poured into the hardened ceramic shell.”
“After the bronze has cooled and solidified, the ceramic shell is removed, revealing the bronze casting. The bronze casting is then sandblasted and assembled. Final details and adjustments are made to complete the sculpture and this can also include various patina work. The patina work not only enhances the sculpture, but also serves to give it a form of protection ensuring its longevity.”
Cartwheel Children by Robert Rorich has been done in aluminium and in bronze
Lion Skull by Cecil Corringham
Van De Venter and her team – that now numbers sixteen people – have been able to work alongside numerous local and international artists and sculptors over the years, helping to bring their visions and art to life. These pieces of art have been exhibited and displayed all over the country in various locations as well as art galleries and at art festivals.
The pieces created can range from representations of African wildlife through to abstract mythical figures and the foundry doesn’t just work with artists and sculptors but encourages anyone with an idea to bring it to them and they will help bring this dream to reality for them.
“We are busy now with a Marke Meyer sculpture entitled Aspiration & The Willingness to Change. It will measure 2.6m and will weigh approximately 350kg. We are also able to do castings in aluminium, and sometimes we will do both aluminium bronze versions of pieces.”
Swart Wildebeest by Bernie van der Vyver
“My foundry is currently casting for artists and sculptors that include Bernie van der Vyver, Marke Meyer, Sonja Smeyers, Travis De Villiers, Vicky Newton-King, Chris Rohm, Roy Sarkin, Celia Wilmot, Gerrit Greyvenstein, Cecil Corringham, Sanna Swart, Billy Swanepoel, Ruben du Plessis, Tony Fredriksson, Ced Pritchard, Tony Riley, Robert Rorich, Vivienne Lawrence, Jeremy Anderson, Francois De Wet and Dawie Fourie.
Various consumables are supplied to Pro Art Bronze Foundry by Ceramic & Alloy Specialists.
For further details contact Pro Art Bronze Foundry on TEL: 079 135 5629 or visit https://www.proartbronze.co.za or email: info@proartbronze.co.za
