Marieke’s work continues to explore the human figure, considering how sculpture mimics the three-dimensionality of a human presence and thus the powerful dialogue it invites – human-to-human look-alike. Her fascination with the human body as a carrier of stories led her to focus on public art, mostly cast in cement. Concrete, that humble material of sidewalks and skyscrapers has become an urban language and is significant, telling our stories back to us.
The instinctive recognition that figurative sculpture elicits from its ‘real’ living viewer has brought about innumerable interpretations, from ancient to modern art making. As such it has generated a deep, communal reservoir of expression, one to which each new piece adds depth and complexity. Marieke’s sculpture ever seeks to make the layered experience of everyday life more understandable, and more meaningful - setting in place sculpted bodies as carriers of stories and dreams - of honouring the past, preserving the present and hoping for the future. As the sculptures flit through these static moments they set them in stone and hallow them from profane to sacred, turning the viewing of each into a rite of passage. And so their story becomes an invitation. She models mostly in wax and clay and casts in cement composites, resin composites and bronze.
In January 2018, Marieke was commissioned by Rand Merchant Bank South Africa to create Africa’s Fearless Thinker. The sculpture was to celebrate and embrace feminine leadership in the corporate world. Authenticity in choices, appreciating the impact women make, both financially and through policy, and creating a space where women are as able as men to thrive. She stands proudly at RMB Merchant Place, Sandton and RMB/FNB Portswood Precinct, Cape Town.
In January 2019 she established a studio in the hamlet of Prince Albert, Great Karoo, South Africa where she has been drawing inspiration for over a decade. In August of 2019, Marieke was invited to be exhibited at the Summer Show in Knokke, Belgium. 2020 allowed for a rare opportunity to consolidate, consider, conceptualise and plan in between managing the new order of life that the year brought. In 2021 Marieke decided to spend some time in Cornwall, England, to allow her to explore the roots of that which she works with every day and the ancient artisanal trades associated with clay and metal mining. She concurrently began a large private commission, to be released in 2023.
2022 was dedicated to and focused on the production of a Swimmer Series in maquette to be released in the latter part of 2023. In late 2022, Marieke’s long-standing desire to capture her three-dimensional figures in a two-dimensional form, began. To be released in 2023. A ‘Small Summer Show’ was also held at Walker Bay Modern Art, Hermanus, South Africa.
Marieke opened her studio for Cornwall Open Studios in June 2023. The Swimmer maquette series and print series take up most of the rest of the year. Marieke is married and very involved with her three teenage children. They constantly provide invaluable insight into the very dynamic and turbulent nature of the human journey.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Art (currently completing), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
BA Honours Fine Art, University of Pretoria
Dip Honours Glass Blowing, Technikon Pretoria
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023 Cornwall Open Studio’s, Truro, Cornwall
2022 Small Summer Show, Walker Bay Modern, Hermanus
2021 10th Anniversary Exhibition ‘ Tokara Sculpture Garden, Helshoogte
2019 ‘On Beauty’ Group Show, Breytenbach Gallery, Wellington
2018
Hermanus FynArts Sculpture on the Cliffs Exhibition, Hermanus
Standard Bank Women’s Wealth Conference, Sandton
2017 ‘Homeward Bound’ Tokara Solo Show, Stellenbosch
2015
Hermanus FynArts Sculptures on the Cliffs Exhibition, Hermanus
Stellenbosch Outdoor Public Art Exhibition, Stellenbosch
Cavalli Aphrodisiac Fine Art Exhibition, Stellenbosch,
Oude Libertas exhibition, Stellenbosch
2014 Cherie de Villiers Gallery Hyde Park sculpture exhibition, Johannesburg
2013
Knysna Fine Art sculpture exhibition, Knysna
Sanlam Private Investment Portrait Award Exhibition Art B Gallery, Cape Town
‘With Young’ Solo Exhibition at the Barnard Gallery, Cape Town
’Angels 7’ Exhibition at Grande Provence, Franschoek
‘Die Landskap van Vrouwees’ Brytenbach Gallery, Wellington
2012
Paris to Pop Exhibition at Lanserac Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Paul Cluver Estate Exhibition, Elgin
2011
Upstairs at Bamboo, Melville Exhibition, Johannesburg
PPC Winners Exhibition, Pretoria Arts Association, Pretoria
Group Exhibition at ISArt, Franschoek
2010
‘Walking the Road’ 18 sculpture Public Art Installation, Sea Point Promenade, Seapoint
‘Summer Salon Show’ with Roberta Moore, London
Lanserac Exhibition ‘Drie Vroue’, Lanserac, Stellenbosch
2009
Upper Deck Gallery Group Show, Plettenberg Bay
Dorp Straat Galery ‘Nora Newton and Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe ’, Stellenbosch
2008
Grande Provence Gallery Franschoek, Angels Tears Exhibition, Franschhoek
Dorp Street Gallery Group Show, Stellenbosch
Investment Art Summer Show, Loop Street Gallery, Cape Town
Sheena Ridley and Overberg Artists Exhibition at Oudeburg Galley, Grabouw
Grande Provence Gallery Show with Mary Visser and Nic Blyden, Grand Provence Wine estate, Franschoek, RSA.
‘Muses and Masters’ Exhibition, Loop Street Gallery, Cape Town
2007
‘Love Story’ at Investment Art, Loop Street Gallery, Cape Town
Group Exhibition with Investment Art, Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn
2005 Group Exhibition ‘Small Things’, Gordart Gallery, Johannesburg
2003 Group Exhibition with Bell Roberts ‘Mettle and Paint’ at Mettle Inc., Sandton
2001
Group Exhibition ‘Equus’ at Association of the Arts, Pretoria
Group Exhibition at Centurion Art Gallery, Pretoria
Group Exhibition ‘Inex’ at 381 Aries, Waterkloof, Pretoria
Group Exhibition at Brooklyn Art Gallery, Pretoria
PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS
2018
RMB Merchant Place, Sandton
RMB/FNB Portswood Precinct, Cape Town
2016 - 2017 Urban Renewal Project of the Pampoenkraal Heritage Site, Durbanville
2015 National Monument for the South African Department of Art, Culture and Heritage
2010-2012 ‘Walking the Road’ Public Art, Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town
AWARDS
2014 National tender for the first HIV and AIDS Children’s Memorial Sculpture
1999 PPC National Young Sculptors Award
1997
Judges Merit Award Winner of the SASOL New Signatures
Runner-up PPC Young Sculptors Awards Competition
COLLECTIONS
National Johannesburg Art Museum (JAG)
Miriam Makeba Terrace at UNISA
Rand Merchant Bank
Ellerman House
Tokara Wine Estate
CHARITY AUCTIONS
Smutsby Cares
Second Chance
Make A Difference Leadership Foundation (MAD Foundation) - South Africa and United Kingdom
Ellerman House Art Angels
Envisionit Capital Bursary
Chefs Who Share
Cape Wine Auction