Think about a haven the place artwork aficionados and nature lovers can converge. Right here, they will benefit from the masterpieces crafted by the arms of man and Mom Nature alike. The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Backyard is such a haven.
Positioned within the Western Cape city of Stellenbosch, this sprawling, seven-hectare backyard is dominated by over 60 placing sculptures, all depicting human figures, animals and legendary beings in various poses. They’re surrounded by carpets of greenery, with the mountains looming over them like silent sentinels.
As you possibly can think about, there’s loads of magnificence to behold right here, in types each wild and tame. And all of it started 16 years in the past…
FROM PLAY AREA TO SCULPTURE GARDEN
Mulberry Farm in Paradyskloof has been the positioning of Johannesburg-born artist Dylan Lewis’ studio and bronze foundry since 1993. It additionally serves as his and his household’s residence.
In 2009, Lewis sought to create a play space for his kids behind their home on the farm. The unique plan was to rent an excavator to stage the elevated flat farmland.
Quickly sufficient, nonetheless, the artist – whose bronze depictions of massive cats had introduced him international acclaim – recognised the inventive potential of this land. Per his web site:
I spent nearly two years with earth-moving gear, these very massive machines contouring the panorama a lot as I might the floor of a sculpture, utilizing the identical rules, however on a a lot greater scale. I developed an indication language with the operator, and he grew to become an extension of my hand.
The wilderness of nature meets the wilderness of humankind. Picture through Instagram @dylanlewissculpturegarden
The backyard’s design echoes that of a Japanese backyard, full with walkways, streams, manicured planting, boulders and a lily pond. But nearly all of the flora is South African to the core: indigenous species embody pelargonium, silkypuffs and watsonias. Fynbos, particularly ericas and restios, additionally blankets the panorama.
The mountains of Stellenbosch, tall and rugged, are one other beauteous reminder of the encircling African terrain.
SCULPTED PERFECTION AND IMPERFECTION
“In contrast to people,” says Lewis, “vegetation, birds, animals, clouds, rivers and oceans don’t have any opinion of me; they’re totally detached to my existence. There may be each a horror and an amazing freedom on this realisation.”
Between 2009 and 2017, Lewis set to work on the sculptures that might inhabit the backyard.
Primarily sculpted from bronze, they’re grouped accordingly, from birds, wild cats and African animals to fragmented human torsos, male shamanic figures and monumental fragments.
Suppose a pair of wildebeest, fragments of the human physique displayed in numerous positions, a leopard surveying the land (very similar to Hout Bay’s bronze leopard) and large-scale, damaged items that replicate the inherent untameability that we supply inside us, amongst different items.
The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Backyard gives loads of meals for thought. Picture through Instagram @dylanlewissculpturegarden
Altogether, they invite us to contemplate many themes. Rethinking our relationship with nature, for one. The influence of human colonisation on the world’s ecosystem, for an additional. Additionally they immediate us to look inside, to pinpoint the wild spirit that modernity has tried to tame.
It’s all as much as interpretation, in fact. However, the backyard definitely takes you down trails of thought you in all probability had but to traverse.
LOOK AWAY TO THE SCULPTURE GARDEN
As of 2025, visits to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Backyard are by appointment. These happen between 8:30 and 17:00 from Tuesdays to Saturdays.
For self-guided visits:
Customary backyard entry payment: R260 per individual.
College students and South African pensioners: R160 per individual (identification is required).
Youngsters beneath the age of 18 can enter free.
You’ll obtain a complimentary detailed map of the backyard.
For personal guided excursions:
One to 5 company: R1 700 per group.
Six to 10 company: R2 200 per group.
11-20 company: R3 300 per group.
The tour payment excludes the backyard entry payment.
Bookings may be made on-line or by calling 021 880 0054.
Once more, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Backyard is a dream vacation spot for lovers of artwork and nature alike. It’s right here that they will actually admire the blended distinction – or contrasted mix – of wilderness and tameness at play.
