"I was intrigued by their beautiful forms as they fell from the sky," she recalled. This image sparked a vision that would take the chaos of urban life and transition it into the tranquility of nature.

"Kirstenbosch is one of the spaces I consider to be sacred. So, when Werner Voigt, the Garden Director, invited me to exhibit, I couldn’t have dreamt of a better partnership," Swanepoel said.

Birds have been vital symbols in human culture for centuries — acting as messengers, timekeepers, deities, and muses.

In AVIAN, Swanepoel urges viewers to reflect on the diminishing connection between humans and birds, and the environmental consequences of modern life.

Sculptures such as Avis fracti and Avis culpat incorporate smooth, shell-like textures and poignant imagery of birds gazing at their own reflections, underscoring the urgent need to address the fractured ecology that surrounds us.

"The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden already plays host to a wide variety of birds, with birdwatchers recording 40 different species on just one morning. Sonja Swanepoel’s AVIAN collection fits beautifully in this environment where birds thrive," Sarah Struys, Events and Tourism Manager at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden added.

Swanepoel’s work has earned her international acclaim, with pieces like Avis stratera, which was showcased at Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg and later featured in Jaguar’s Crown Collection in 2023.

Additionally, her sculpture Avis fragilis has recently been added to the permanent collection of the South African Consulate in New York, further solidifying her position as a prominent global artist.

As visitors wander through the AVIAN exhibition at Kirstenbosch, they are invited into a thoughtful dialogue with nature.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus

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Sonja Swanepoel's AVIAN Series: A reflection on humanity's connection to nature