Michele Mathison’s New Silo District Sculpture

WORDS Mary Garner IMAGES courtesy of V&A Waterfront

A new sculpture created by Johannesburg-based artist Michele Mathison was recently unveiled in the Silo District at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, as part of the V&A’s Art in Public Places Programme.

The commission, entitled Angular Mass, is made up of five large flywheels that formed an integral part of the original Grain Silo machinery, dating back to 1921. The sculpture has been designed to capture the dynamics of the wheels’ rotational drive.

“I was honoured to have the opportunity to integrate these magnificent pieces of historical machinery into the public realm,” shared Michele. “Hopefully the work reflects how the Waterfront continues to be a dynamic and integral part of South Africa’s working economy.”

The flywheels were given to Michele while the silos were being transformed into the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA).

This piece forms part of a series of artworks at the V&A Waterfront, including work by artists Carl Frederik Reuterswärd, Mohau Modisakeng, Noria Mabasa, Kyle Morland, Gavin Younge, Cameron Platter and Claudette Schreuders.

View more of Michele’s work at michelemathison.com.