// Kobus La Grange

Biography

Born in 1982 in Freestate, South Africa. Kobus grew up on a farm in Viljoenskroon, a small town between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.  Matriculating in 2000, he received his schooling in Klerksdorp. He moved to Pretoria in 2001, studying at the then Pretoria Technicon, majoring in Sculpture and Ceramic studies and further lecturing for the ceramics department in 2004. He also regularly participated in competitions and student and staff exhibitions during this time. 

Kobus can be understood as a prolific and versatile sculptural creator. He explores the poetry of the human form and expresses a deep curiosity for the narratives the body bears within it. Although he is most strongly connected to the tradition of woodcarving, he has also turned to cast bronze, welded steel, ceramics, and fire sculpture as additional avenues of creative output. Kobus’s work reminisces on the whimsy of folktales and the storytelling that takes place around campfires. His sculptural expressions are raw and authentic; the slashes and tears in his work create texture and embody the unfiltered nature of traditional story-sharing. Whilst there is an impulsiveness and spontaneity in his work, he still displays decisive and intentional deliberation which can be credited to his meticulous training in the craft.

Exhibitions

2023
Optimal Vibration, Group Exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg

Sunny Side Up, Group Exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg

2022
New Day Spring Group Exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg

Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg
Cape Town Art Fair

2021
Exhibition alongside painter, Phillip Willem Badenhorst at Breytenbach Centre, the exhibition draws on the works of writer, Karel Schoeman.

Kill the Flame, solo exhibition, SMAC Gallery, Cape Town

2019
Medulla solo exhibition, Franschhoek
Buncka Kulcha group exhibition, St John’s College, Johannesburg
Sculpt X, Johannesburg

2018
Motsamai, Hassalt, Belgium

2015
Solo exhibition, Pretoria
Travels to Graulhet, France to join Guy du Toit and Egon Tania for a 5-week guerrilla bronze casting workshop

2014
The View Keeps Changing, solo exhibition, Franschhoek

2013
Burning Man Festival, travels to US as part of a crew of participating South African Artists

2011
Relation, Two person exhibition with Gabrielle Raaff, Stellenbosch

2010
Flow, Carol Lee Fine Art, Johannesburg

2009
Two man exhibition with Nigel Mullins, Stellenbosch (The work exhibited here draws on the anticipation and tensions of South Africa hosting Soccer world cup the following year)