Artist
Born in Evander, South Africa, in 1975, André Stead embarked on a life-long journey of artistic expression. Overcoming the challenges of severe dyslexia from a young age, he found solace and voice in the arts. Stead began attending art classes at the tender age of six, which provided him with an outlet for communication, giving birth to a fascination and love for art that would later shape his life and career.
Cultivating his talent and passion, Stead gained acceptance into the renowned Pro Arte School of Arts in Pretoria, where he honed his painting and drawing skills. Early on, his artistic prowess received recognition when the Iscor permanent collection accepted his work, marking a prestigious achievement and the beginning of his journey into the professional art world.
Stead shifted his focus towards sculpture after graduating with honours. Notably, a simple gift from his wife - a log and an axe - catalysed this transition, inspiring him to start creating sculptures. Never one to limit himself to a single medium, Stead ventured from wood to clay, eventually mastering iron and bronze. His commitment to expanding his knowledge and skills in sculpture resulted in collaboration with Otto Du Plessis, leading to the development of the Bronze Age Art Foundry. Here, he gained significant insights into the moulding and the lost wax casting process, further broadening his expertise and exposure in the art world.
Stead's personal life, marked by the pain of divorce in 2007 and the loss of his ex-wife four years later, left him as a single father to their three boys. Despite these adversities, his dedication to his art never wavered. Instead, he channelled his experiences into creating powerful and expressive works, showcasing his resilience and relentless commitment to his craft.
The following decade saw a shift in Stead's artistic direction. He began experimenting with modern materials such as resin, carbon fibre composites, and plexiglass, evolving his creative expression. This period saw him create large-scale installation artworks, with a landmark commission in 2011 by Laurence Graaf, initiating a new branch of site- specific sculptural installations that quickly gained popularity and recognition.
Stead's passion for exploring the human experience shines through his graceful figures and vibrant installations. His works capture physical form and the essence of the mind and heart. Stead's humble nature, his ability to connect and communicate profoundly through his art, is perhaps best encapsulated by the words of Ashraf Jamal:
"For him, human connection is not only possible by reaching outward into the world, it is all the more profoundly possible by turning inward and finding a universe of possibility within ourselves. It is for this reason that I regard Stead as a sculptor of the ethical heart and mind."
- Ashraf Jamal
Stead's extraordinary work has graced numerous exhibitions and found its place in private collections worldwide throughout his career. He has left a notable imprint on South Africa's art scene. He continues to shape it with his creative ingenuity and artistic skill, earning him recognition and respect within the global art community. Stead's journey in the art world, marked by personal triumphs and tribulations, is a testament to his steadfast dedication and unwavering passion for his craft.
Curriculum Vitae - André Stead
Born in Evander 1975, lives and works in Cape Town.
Qualifications and Awards
- 2021 Top 100 Finalists in the National Portrait Award Competition
- 2017 Work excepted for the Rand Merchant Bank - Private Collection
- 2007 Eight years bronze casting and Foundry Course at Bronze Age Art Foundry, Simon's Town
- 1996 Metal forging tuition, John Allesandri, Cape Town
- 1995 Graphic design course, Gunther Komnick, Cape Town
- 1994 Goldsmith apprenticeship, Pretoria
- 1993 Pro Arte School of Arts, Distinction with colours for Art, Pretoria
- 1991 Merit award, Iscor Art Competition, Iscor Permanent Art Collection, Pretoria
Collections
- Laurence Graff
- Bernard Fontannaz
- Board of Executives
- Rand Merchant Bank Collection
- National Heritage Project Company
- Graham Beck Estates
- Johnny Walker
- Tom Nickloff
- Willy Woestyn
- Sanlam Collection
- Iscor Collection
Selected Exhibitions and Commissions
2024
- Sculptx ‘24, Group exhibition, Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg
- Take a stand, Group exhibition, The Viewing Room Gallery, Johannesburg
- Female Form, Group exhibition, IS Art Sculpture Garden, Tokara, Stellenbosch
2023
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg
- RMB Latitudes, Art Fair, Melrose Gallery, Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg
- Doves Installation, Private Commission, Vero Beach, Florida
- 25th Anniversary exhibition, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna
- Chamber Music and Art Festival, Group exhibition, Franschhoek, South Africa
2022
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg
- @SandtonHotel, The Viewing Room Gallery, Group exhibition, Johannesburg
- Paradise Perpetuated, Is Sculpture, Group exhibition, Tokara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- Conversations, Group exhibition, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
2021
- Portrait Award Competition, Portrait 100, Group exhibition, Rupert Museum, Stellenbosch
- POP, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Diamond Walk, Sandton City
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Emergence, Group exhibition, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- Offering, Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Franschhoek.
- Exhibit one, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art, Val De Vie, Paarl
- Paradise Perpetuated, Is Sculpture , Group exhibition, Tokara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
2020
- Introspection, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Diamond Walk, Sandton City
- International sculpture day, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Zug Installation art project, Private commission, Zug, Switzerland
- Meeth-Willkomm installation art project, Private commission, Germany
2019
- Disrupting Patterns, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, One and Only Hotel
- Material Identities, Group Exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Selectors exhibition, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Ravens in flight, Private commission, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Santa Fe Doves, Private commission, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Cape Town Art Fair 2019, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
2018
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Celebration of Winter, Group exhibition, Grande Provence Gallery, Franschhoek
- Charity Auction, Private Auction in aid of Groote Schuur Hospital, Stellenbosch
- Sculpture on the Cliffs, Public art exhibition, Hermanus Fine Arts, Hermanus
- Timeless, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
- Guest Artist, Stellenbosch Arts Association Members' Exhibition, Stellenbosch
- Cape Town Art Fair 2018, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
2017
- Stable 2017, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Charity Auction, Private Auction in aid of The Rainbow Academy, Cape Town
- 20-year celebration, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine art, Knysna
- Art at the Clock Tower, Group exhibition, Cast - Cape Town, V&A Waterfront
- Sculptx, Group exhibition, Melrose Arch Gallery, Johannesburg
- Black and white, Group exhibition, Absolute Art Gallery, Stellenbosch
- Summer Exhibition, Group exhibition, Art at Durban Ville Hills, Durban Ville
- Public artwork, Rand Merchant Bank - Private Collection, Johannesburg
- Cape Town Art Fair 2017, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- Mute Wisdom, Group exhibition, Art at Almenkerk, Algin Grabow
2016
- Sublimation, Solo exhibition, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- A Sense of Place, Group exhibition, Imibala Gallery, Somerset West
- Self-I, Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Franschhoek.
- Transmutation, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art Gallery, Knysna
- Cape Town Art Fair 2016, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- A Certain Kind Of Madness, Group exhibition, Imibala Gallery, Somerset West
2015
- Summer Exhibition, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art Gallery, Knysna
- Signature, Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Franschhoek.
- US Woordfees, Group exhibition, P J Olivier Art Centre, Stellenbosch
- Cape Town Art Fair 2015, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- Bring your own identity, Group exhibition, Knysna Fine Art Gallery, Knysna
- Is Sculpture at Tokara, Group exhibition, Tokara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
2014
- Murmuration, Corporate commission, Delaire Graff Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- Woordfees 2014, Group exhibition, P J Olivier Art Centre, Stellenbosch
- Cape Town Art Fair 2014, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- The Fountain of youth, Private commission, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Wall of Words, Corporate Commission, Oxford, United Kingdom
2013
- Koi Fish Installation, Private commission, Singapore
- Cape Town Art Fair 2013, Art Fair, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
- National Heritage Project Company Commission
- Elemental man, Solo exhibition, Knysna Fine Art Gallery, Knysna
- Woordfees 2013, Group exhibition, P J Olivier Art Centre, Stellenbosch
2012
- Summer, Group exhibition, Christopher Møller Art, Cape Town
- Young Minds Charity Fund Raiser, st. Lorient, Pretoria
- Illumination, Solo exhibition, Christopher Møller Art, Cape Town
- Oxford Swallows, Private commission, Oxford, United Kingdom
2011
- Flight of the Swallows, Corporate commission, Delaire Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- Evolution, Solo exhibition, Is Art Gallery, Franschhoek
- Group exhibition, Christopher Møller Art, Cape Town
- Group exhibition, Dawid's Choice Gallery, Johannesburg
- Roodt Inc, group exhibition, Dawid's Choice Gallery, Johannesburg
2010
- Group exhibition, Dimitrov Art Gallery, Dullstroom
- Rooftop exhibition, group show, St. Loriant, Pretoria
- Group exhibition, The Upper Deck Gallery, Plettenberg Bay
- Group exhibition, Christopher Møller Art Gallery, Cape Town
2009
- Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg
- Identity, group exhibition, Platform on 18th Gallery, Pretoria
- Figures, solo exhibition, Northcliff, Johannesburg
- Female series launch, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, CTICC
2008
- Angels, group exhibition, Grande Provence Gallery, Franschhoek
- Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town
- Medallions, Corporate Commission, Burj Khalifa Development, Dubai
2006
- Corporate commission, Graham Beck Wine Estate, Franschhoek
- Group exhibition, Bronze Age Sculpture House, Cape Town
2000 – 2005
- Group exhibition, Seidelberg Wine Estate, Paarl
- Miniatures, group exhibition, Bronze Age Sculpture House, Cape Town
- Board of Executors, Corporate Commission, Cape Town
- Group exhibition, Vineyard Gallery, Cape Town
1999
- Group exhibition, The Christie Gallery, Cape Town
- Group exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town
1998
- Wooden figures, Solo exhibition, Novalis Institute, Cape Town
- Sanlam Restoration - Award, Corporate commission, Sanlam, Cape Town
- Group exhibition, Association for visual arts, Cape Town
1997
- Sanlam Literary Award, Corporate commission, Sanlam, Grahamstown
- Group exhibition, Primart Gallery, Cape Town