The South African National Biodiversity Institute collaborates with world renowned sculptor, Anton Smit to display artworks across three national botanical gardens, Kirstenbosch, Pretoria and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute is pleased to announce its partnership with Anton Smit, who’s sculptures have been on display from 5 November 2024 at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. This collaboration will see sculptures being installed at our Walter Sisulu as well as the Kirstenbosch in 2025.
Smit is widely revered for his overwhelming heads and monumental bronze sculptures, which evoke themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory and sublimation. His works grace public and private collections locally and abroad and was featured at Scope of the Art Fair New York 2017, a premier showcase and incubator for contemporary art that convenes the most dynamic and emerging galleries and artists from around the world.
The Pretoria National Botanical Garden will be home to 15 of Anton Smit’s art masterpieces, which will be spread across the garden.
The garden, which serves as a vital green refuge in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria and serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and a tranquil escape for visitors, was established in 1958 and features a diverse landscape that includes a ridge with natural grasslands and vibrant beds of indigenous plants which support various animal species.
Birdwatchers can delight in the garden's rich birdlife with over 220 bird species recorded, including the majestic Verreaux’s Eagle which is often seen hunting the local dassie population. Now visitors can marvel at the exquisite art pieces created by Anton Smit inside the garden.
The garden offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy including a newly completed children’s play area which offers a safe environment where children can explore nature and stretch their mind.
Parents can relax and sample the culinary delights at the garden’s in-house restaurant, MilkPlum Café.