Carl Roberts

South African artist, Carl Robetrs is a sculptor. His works are created with a strong reference to his surroundings and loved experiences.

Carl’s life has been one of disaster, disappointment and triumph as he puts it.

Carl’s father crashed his Royal Air Force jet and was killed when Carl was a mere three months old. This marked the beginning of an unsettled life for him. Another death and a divorce resulted in three fathers and three countries as he began to go through life. Although his childhood was constantly disrupted he found solitude in creating things. His first source being clay from the garden to form into clay pots and additionally toilet paper rolls were made into papier-mâché dragons.

Carl completed his schooling at De La Salle in East London (RSA) however, failed his matric. As a result of his failure he was kicked out of his family home. He found refuge and employment at the East London Fire Department.

Carl studied Fine Art at Rhodes University and graduated with academic half colours. On completion he appointed as a lecturer at the university. In 1993 he completed his master’s degree in Fine Art, and with much dedication over the next two years he became a full-time sculptor with a global following.

His work has been exhibited around the world and form a part of numerous permanent collections, including: public galleries, (Durban Art Gallery, Tatham Art Gallery, Pretoria Art Museum, Natal Provincial Administration Ann Bryant Art Gallery Collection, Oliewenhuis Art Gallery) some academic intuitions (Rhodes University Collection and Natal Technikon Collection) and corporate collections, (ABSA Bank).

His sculptures have been included in many private collections (eighteen countries on all five continents).

His biography ‘Meeting Carl Roberts’ – written by Neil Wright is available from Carl or The Book Collector, gives you further insight into the man behind the art.

Carl lives and works as a full time artist in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal.

Image: Courtesy of artist