Notes

Ludwig Strydom, son of Dr Strydom and his wife Helene, grew up immersed in the art world as his parents were avid art patrons, collectors, and gallerists. He showed an artistic ability from a young age, sculpting toys from clay for his brothers and himself. He was also interested in movement and taught martial arts until 2002, when a stroke led to him scaling back and turning towards art instead. In 2006, his uncle Leon suggested he take up sculpting again and he did so after meeting and being encouraged by George Ramagaga (featured in lot 80 in the Timed Online Day sale, lot 283 and 285 on this sale). Strydom recounts Ramagaga telling him “If you spend
enough time with the wood; the wood will tell you what it wants to become”.¹ This is the approach that he takes; consulting the wood and working to reveal the movement – the sculpture – within. This movement can be seen in the two works of Strydom’s on this sale: the outstretched limbs and arching of the monkey’s form in lot 286 and the curves of the bull’s body and swishing of its tail in lot 284.

^1. http://ludwigstrydom.com/about/

Provenance

Dr Matthys Johannes Strydom Family Collection.