Willem Mielmann was born in 1988 in Bethlehem, Free State, where he is still residing and working in the agricultural environment.
His love for art started in high school when his then-art teacher, Lynette Swanepoel, introduced him to several disciplines of art. It was under her encouragement that he started experimenting with metals and different forms of sculpturing.
He won a few merit awards during his school career at interschool exhibitions.
During his gap year in Peru, he was influenced by the Peruvian culture and art, an influence which still exists in his art.
Since childhood, he was fascinated by rock climbing and the different rock formations he would encounter while climbing. This love for rock climbing led him to later qualify as an Extreme Adventure Guide with Venture Forth in Cape Town.
It is therefore no surprise that all these elements and interests, dolerite and metals, are used together in his first official piece of artwork he is entering for the New Breed Art Competition.
Competition history:
2023 Entrant