We arrived at Dylan Lewis's sculpture garden on a winter day in South Africa. Was this a good time to visit, given that the garden usually features a diverse array of plants that are especially attractive in spring or milder weather? As we wandered through the garden, we discovered the answer was a resounding 'yes.' The winter season revealed a tapestry of textures and hues that might be overshadowed by the summer's lushness. The garden's subtle colors and the intricate interplay of light and shadow offered a serene and contemplative beauty.
Dylan Lewis’s talent extended beyond his sculptures to the very landscape he shaped. He designed the garden by digging out a lake and shaping mounds to echo the mountains in the background. Inspired by the concept of the "borrowed landscape" in Asian gardens, Dylan brought the distant mountains into the intimate space of the garden. He selected soft, feminine plants to contrast with the strong, masculine lines of the mountains. He also preserved elements of the land's history, retaining some of the original poplar trees from the old plantation and incorporating them into the garden's design.
- Words: Fynn
- Photos: Yinjispace Paris Brummer
Walking through the garden, we observed Dylan’s sculptures from various distances and angles. These pieces, crafted specifically for the garden, spoke to the scale of the mountains and drew the landscape into the sculptural experience. Dylan described them as a kind of homage, suggesting that to truly appreciate the sculptures, one must consider the grandeur of the mountains that inspired them. The forms of the sculptures echoed the mountain shapes, creating a seamless dialogue between art and nature.
A visit to Dylan's old studio provided insight into his artistic journey. Initially a painter, Dylan transitioned to sculpture, beginning with avian subjects before focusing on larger mammals such as leopards. This shift reflects his personal spoor, the idea of an internal landscape being expressed the work of his wild twinned. His life-size leopard sculptures at Leopard Creek golf estate marked a significant milestone, bringing him widespread acclaim.
In his more recent work, Dylan explores the human form, often merging it with animalistic elements. Sculptures adorned with animal skulls, wings, and talons delve into humanity's primal nature, creating a narrative of internal struggle and identity. A striking example is a sculpture featuring a lion skull, designed to evoke the rugged texture of mountain rocks, symbolizing the interconnectedness of human and earth elements.
One area of the garden featured male figures in contorted poses, reflecting Dylan's personal turmoil and search for peace. Another section, filled with torsos, celebrated the language of the body, life force, and movement. Inspired by fragmented marble sculptures seen in European museums, Dylan embraced the concept of brokenness as a source of strength and beauty. He believed that the wounds and fractures in our lives are places where we can grow stronger.
