Sculptor Olivia Dunkey is showing her first solo exhibition at Art@Africa Gallery at the Silo District in Waterfront.
The exhibition, titled Cosmic Ocean, revolves around a deity named Sirena, the guardian of all the universe’s oceans, and features a sculpture of Sirena and abstract pieces that reflect her cosmic, oceanic world.
It aims to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world and a sense of responsibility to protect it.
“For me, storytelling is key in this exhibition — it’s about sparking curiosity, drawing people in, and creating a meaningful experience through both the visuals and the deeper messages they hold.”
Ms Dunkley, who is from Johannesburg and now lives in Rondebosch, said she has been interested in art for as long as she can remember. “As a child, I spent a lot of time drawing, and my grandparents, who raised me, always praised and encouraged my artwork. I think that experience gave me the passion and confidence to pursue art.”
During high school, she was particularly interested in digital art and painting, and when it was time to decide on further studies, she was torn between studying concept art for video games at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and fine arts at the University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Fine Art.
She ended up choosing Michaelis and completed her degree there.
She said when she first started, she wanted to be a painter, but found herself inspired by the process of sculpting. “I loved not only the aesthetic side but also the technical challenges it brings. I was fortunate to learn under (renowned artists and lecturers) Jane Alexander and Johann van der Schijff.”
During her final year, she ventured back into digital work, specifically digital sculpture. “This time, I could bring it into the real world through 3D printing, which felt like exactly what I had always wanted to do.”
It was also during this time that she connected with Art@Africa Gallery, which led to her first solo exhibition at the gallery.
Ms Dunkley said the idea of the Cosmic Ocean symbolises the “infinite waters from which the universe emerged, touching on the mysteries of life and our role within it”.
“I try to bring as much flow into my work as possible. I want my pieces to feel elegant and well-designed, so I spend a lot of time focusing on form and feeling.”
She said she hopes that her work inspires others to connect more with the environment and the world around them.
“I find a lot of creative inspiration in appreciating the intricate beauty of our world.
“I’d also love my work to inspire other artists on an innovative level. I think it’s important to create space for new ideas and fresh approaches to creating art.”
The exhibition will be at Art@Africa until Wednesday October 9.
