Renowned work
In 1985 Willie started doing limited edition Wildlife Bronzes whilst running his Architectural Model Building Business. These editions sold out very quickly through galleries in Johannesburg to a mostly international clientele.
During 1992 Willie was commissioned to do a life-size fish eagle in flight for the Mowana Lodge in Chobe, Botswana, and ended up doing 12 large elephant heads for the reception area as well as sculptural lamps for the 220 guest rooms. This triggered a huge demand for his work from the hospitality industry and he has since completed over 50 projects. Work included sculptures, architectural elements and functional art for Hotels, Airports and Shopping Centres. Willie was commissioned by clients such as Sun International, SAA and the Dubai Government and worked on projects as far as Djibouti, the Red Sea, and Mauritius.
In 2005 he won the competition to do a life-size Whale Tail Fountain for the coastal town of Hermanus where he had been living since 1998 with his wife and two children.
His latest, limited edition bronzes were displayed at the Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town as well as the Crystal Room in The Lost City Hotel.
During December 2015 Willie and his wife relocated to Hidden Valley where he opened a new studio. He recently completed a pair of life size leopards for a private game lodge. At the moment he is doing research for exciting new projects.
During 1992 Willie was commissioned to do a life-size fish eagle in flight for the Mowana Lodge in Chobe, Botswana, and ended up doing 12 large elephant heads for the reception area as well as sculptural lamps for the 220 guest rooms. This triggered a huge demand for his work from the hospitality industry and he has since completed over 50 projects. Work included sculptures, architectural elements and functional art for Hotels, Airports and Shopping Centres. Willie was commissioned by clients such as Sun International, SAA and the Dubai Government and worked on projects as far as Djibouti, the Red Sea, and Mauritius.
In 2005 he won the competition to do a life-size Whale Tail Fountain for the coastal town of Hermanus where he had been living since 1998 with his wife and two children.
His latest, limited edition bronzes were displayed at the Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town as well as the Crystal Room in The Lost City Hotel.
During December 2015 Willie and his wife relocated to Hidden Valley where he opened a new studio. He recently completed a pair of life size leopards for a private game lodge. At the moment he is doing research for exciting new projects.
Ramona in Bronze
In 2017, tragedy struck Knysna; a popular coastal town, rich with wildlife and dense forest in South Africa. A beautiful home was destroyed by a wild fire that also consumed many other houses and terrain. This house that is pictured, was owned by a devout collector of Willie Botha Sculptures. Ramona was the only standing object other than the framework of the home. A strong woman that was depicted in the art piece stood unmoved within the roaring fire which was destroying the world around her. Despite a down poor of overwhelming circumstances; she remained. Not only did Willie Botha's underlying depiction of Ramona come through; but could it also be assumed that Ramona herself came to tell us her true emotions. The original Ramona from the wildfire can be viewed at the gallery at Hidden Valley. https://twitter.com/_arrivealive/status/875013311418572805 |
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