Artist Statement

Other Realities sub-programme

Digital Art technology has allowed for the creation of a myriad of different types of art. There are very few limitations when it comes to creating digital art. As an artist, S’boniso Shelembe seeks to explore the possibilities presented by this technology. This work is a short series of digital sculptures exhibited as augmented reality objects. These sculptures are made to look like amalgamations of organic objects, creating forms which bring to mind the idea that the artwork could have, at some point, been alive. At their core, they are created to be curiosities. Abstract pieces that seek to make their audience question what the sculpture actually is, and what went into their creation, they explore the interplay between the intangible (the digital) and the tangibly real (physical space).

• S’boniso Shelembe is a digital artist studying at the University of Kwazulu-Nata, South Africal. Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, he has lived a relatively sheltered life. It is this life that gave birth to his interest in the bizarre. Shelembe has an interest in creating art pieces that incorporate many different elements of human and animal forms, resulting in abstract, strangely organic digital sculptures. Having lacked artistic talent, S’boniso had no prior aspirations to be an artist. This changed when he was introduced to the digital arts a scant five years ago. His works are primarily digital sculptures, although he is exploring other artforms. He is constantly learning and refining his skills and techniques.