The magnificent steel sculptures created by Graham Carter, retinal angiographer by profession, speaks of such talent that it has been included in Phatshoane Henney Attorneys’ permanent art collection.
He was also one of the top artists in last year’s Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition, with his works included in the official competition exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum.
Years ago he first started making sculptures with old sleeper wood, while at the time he also learned how to practise pottery as an additional artistic method. The medium he currently works in is stainless steel which he dubs “a noble metal with what remarkable properties” - although it’s these exact properties which make it extremely hard to work with.
“The origin of my current exploration in stainless steel and cast mild steel generates from a lecture which I gave a few years ago, where I had made a cross section of the eye using steel and brass. This awakened in me a great interest in the sculptural aspect thereof, and the rest is history.”
His occupation as retinal angiographer - also know as ophthalmic photographer - over the past 20 years however requires him to practise sculpting and art only after hours and weekends. Yet getting noticed through entering the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition last year has given his artistic career a real boost.
This opportunity granted him exposure on various platforms and in the media, resulting in greater interest from both galleries and the public. “The official competition website generated lots of interest for me and I believe it is a fantastic platform granted to upcoming artists to get exposure, which is often hard to find otherwise. It’s a great contribution to the South African art industry.”
In future he plans to further explore methods and mediums in sculpture in pursuit of honing his skills as sculptor. “I am truly grateful and humbled by the opportunities which the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition has granted me and other artists alike. It has had a significant impact on my career as artist and I believe the same applies to the other entrants in the competition.”
Click here to view Carter's profile and see more of his work.