Cool Collab: Wiid Design X Gerick Terblanche

PHOTOS Justin Patrick WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo

The benches that Laurie Wiid van Heerden of Wiid Design makes in collaboration with other creatives are some of his most sought-after creations.

For this bench, Laurie collaborated with Gerick Terblanche, an artist with a love of nature and natural history. Called Fauna and Flora, the bench is a celebration of South African plant and animal life. We caught up with the two of them.

How did the collaboration come about?

Laurie: Years ago, when I first moved to Woodstock, Gerick and I shared a small studio space. I have always admired his talent and patience, so I asked him if we could work on a new piece together.

What influenced your artistic choices?

Gerick: Travel is as much of an obsession of mine as being in nature, where most of my inspiration comes from. And South Africa is probably one of the most incredible places to travel through when it comes to the diversity of plant life and animals. If I am not in my studio, you will find me in the middle of nowhere, taking photographs to use as references.

What were some of the challenges?

Gerick: Painting on steel! I had to adapt to a whole new technique because of the ridiculously quick drying time and the way acrylic paint reacts on steel.

How long did it take?

Laurie: It took seven to eight months for Gerick to paint the bench, and I would say four to five weeks for the steel fabrication, making this bench truly a one-off collector’s item.

See more Wiid Design pieces here.