CapeTownMagazine.com

Visit the Bronze Foundry and watch a sculptor in action

For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels
for useful news, daily local champions
 
072 350 2062
Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point
www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe
now@capetownmagazine.com
CapeTownMag
CapeTownMagazine.com
capetownmag

Visit the Bronze Foundry and watch a sculptor in action

Artist Donald Greig creates creatures big and small at his gallery in the V&A Waterfront

The Donald Greig Gallery & Bronze Foundry is home to unique mostly bronze, but also silver and other metal sculptures. There’s a delicate, 2kg bronze meerkat, or even a mammoth 100kg life-sized elephant head. 

Another great attraction is being able to watch behind the scenes as art pieces are created at the Bronze Foundry, which will open again soon. 


Image credit: The Works Brothers

WATCH THE BIRTH OF A SCULPTURE 

Inside the gallery, husband-and-wife duo Donald and Ali Greig have created a viewing passage for visitors to watch, from a safe distance, how sculptures are made. It’s an intricate process that involves a “hot box” with a furnace that reaches 1200℃, which is necessary to create a pure bronze piece of art. 


Image credit: The Works Brothers

“The outcome is a visual experience that is unique to Cape Town,” says gallery curator Ali Greig. Although the Bronze Foundry is not open just yet, hopefully by the end of the May, says general manager Margie Robertson, the rest of the gallery space is ready to welcome visitors and art lovers. 

FIND SMALL AND INTIMATE PIECES TO LIMITED EDITIONS

Donald grew up in the highveld and is a huge lover of nature and animals. His process is to intimately familiarise himself with his subjects’ anatomical dimensions and behavioural attributes. Every sculpture is handmade, and you can find small finger prints and indents along the bodies of his works. 


Image credit: The Works Brothers

The most popular pieces are the leopard sculptures, says Robertson. However, the most iconic piece t in the gallery is a 100kg, life-sized elephant head, which hangs on the wall. It’s the only one he’s ever made, Robertson says. There are more limited-edition pieces in the gallery you won’t find anywhere else. 

THE SMALL WORKS SHOW INCREDIBLE DETAIL

Although the larger pieces are impressive, Greig’s skill shows in his smaller, more delicate pieces. He has a talent for being able to show the same amount of detail on every piece no matter its size. Notable are the family of peeping meerkats, the palm-sized hippo and the pack of roaming wild dogs. 


Image credit: The Works Brothers

DONALD GREIG GALLERY & BRONZE FOUNDRY

Address: 1 Coode Crescent, Port of Cape Town, Enter Port from South Arm Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Contact: 021 418 0003 

Website: donaldgreig.co.za/

---

FIND HEAPS MORE GALLERIES 

Between Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Cape Town there are heaps of art galleries to discover

Walk through 22 galleries, gallerists and local art at Hermanus’ monthly art walk

Size doesn't matter at the Worldart Gallery

The best day to check-out outstanding art in Cape Town is First Thursdays.

---

Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of what’s happening in the city, ‘burbs and dorpies. Join our newsletter and get quick access on the go by adding us to your mobile home screen for the ultimate guide to discoveries in Cape Town.


Follow and like us on TwitterFacebookLinkedInInstagramPinterest for updates.

Cape Town Events Calendar
March 2023
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

Maker's Landing Seafood FestMakers Landing, the Waterfront’s ...

Seafood Fest: For foodies, chefs and sustainable fishing

SGT Pepper Try these daily happy hour specials at ...

Drink a cocktail or share a beer bucket while watching the buzz of Long Street

Drumstruck at SilvermistDrumstruck at Silvermist! African drum ...

Drumstruck is back from Broadway and playing for a limited run in Cape Town

Cape SpritzCape Town has its own drink. Here’s ...

Cape Spritz is Cape Town’s summer drink – here’s why + where to try it

Char'd Grill meat appreciation platterMeat appreciation platter at a ...

3 cuts of meat, sizzling side dishes + epic mad-scientist experience

Char'd Grill tasting traysSpirit tastings and unique cuts at this ...

Bring out your inner mad scientist: experiment with unique spirits + meat cuts

Pear Tree cocktailsHolistic food + drink at this healthy ...

Sit under the trees and enjoy kombucha cocktails, vegan dishes + a sea view

Ficks 8 things you didn’t know about this ...

Boozy milkshakes, pinchos, wildlife watching + more

Pear Tree HermanusUnconventional vegan dishes at this ...

From tofu tostadas and kombucha cocktails to MasterChef-level desserts

Milk on the Beach5 reasons to visit this beach-side ...

Never-ending summer of waffles, hotdogs, cocktails...

Waffle Shack by Milk on the BeachOur team’s top picks at the Waffle ...

Beach-side eatery is perfect for kids, adults and dogs alike

The Galileo Kirstenbosch picnicWhat’s on at The Galileo Open Air ...

The Galileo screens at the famous botanical garden every Wednesday to Friday

Bar KeeperOffice drinks delivered to your door ...

Bar Keeper’s seamless service. Order 1 special drink or enough for a whole party

StrollaHalf-price rotisserie chicken (& sides) ...

Half a chicken, 2 sauces, wedges & butter corn, all for under R100

Sweet River Brewery ingredientsBook out this distillery for your next ...

Make your own at Distillers Union + get beer and pizza at Sweet River Brewery

HintHunt escape planGet over the midweek hump with a ...

Launch a torpedo, escape prison, solve a murder – all in your lunch hour

Taj Jiva SpaJiva Spa Special: 3 massages x 30 mins ...

Select 3 treatments from 7 options, from head massage to deluxe pedicure

Bombay BrasserieBombay Brasserie offers sumptuous ...

Taste 7 unique dishes (+ a surprise) at Taj Cape Town’s signature eatery

Blue Train ParkKids Party Idea: Take a ride on the ...

BOOK Now and let the outdoor adventure begin!

Breathwork Africa foundation3+ ways to get your breath back and ...

Classes, courses, retreats on conscious breathing run by the trainers leading the global ...

Sotano Restaurant burger specialBest burger special at Sotano every ...

Share this 2-for-1 deal with a friend or eat both lamb burgers yourself

Retreat Yourself festival 2023(Re)treat yourself at this wellness ...

Recharge at the family-friendly Retreat Yourself festival

Klein Roosboom tasting caveTaste wine in a cave

Boutique winery with 6 six cosy tasting nooks. Plus platters, picnics + trails

GiveawaysTravel Tips