Healing Through Copper: The Sculptural Vision of Olwethu De Vos
The intersection of traditional technique and contemporary message is where the work of South African visual artist Olwethu De Vos truly comes alive. In a recent interview on “The Day With Trae” with host Trae Holiday, De Vos shared how her journey from a student of sculpture and glassblowing led her to develop a unique "sculptural drawing" signature that explores the deep connection between materiality and healing.
A Signature Born of Adaptation
As a young artist, De Vos faced significant challenges after graduating university. Lacking the expensive facilities required for her majors in sculpture and glassblowing, she had to innovate. This necessity birthed her current aesthetic—intricate works where copper is woven and stitched into drawings and paintings.
These materials are not just chosen for their beauty; she uses copper symbolically, drawing on its traditional use for centering energy and healing the body.
Art as a Vessel for Healing
For De Vos, art must be more than just aesthetically pleasing; it must “matter.” Her core concept is one of multi-faceted healing: spiritual, physical, mental, and systematic. A recent collection focused specifically on the "healing of perception" regarding the female body. She is also inspired by conversations with different generations of women, using her work to counter the cultural fear of aging and the misconception that a woman’s value diminishes over time.
Empowering the Artist Community
Beyond her own creative practice, De Vos is deeply involved in philanthropy and art direction through the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize Foundation. This foundation was born from her frustration with the unregulated and often toxic nature of the art industry.
As she looks toward an international stage, De Vos continues to advocate for the value of South Africa’s raw talent and the power of art to reflect current affairs and provoke meaningful change. Through her woven copper and commitment to her community, she is ensuring that her work, and the work of those she mentors, reaches hearts and minds around the globe.
Learn more about De Vos and her artwork here.
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