The Creative Genius Of Chris Bladen

TCFF talks to Cape Town sculptor Chris Bladen about his love for nature, his art and, of course, fly fishing.

TCFF: How and when did you first become seriously interested in art? Did you have a mentor in this regard?

CB: I lived and worked in London in the ’90s as a dental technician where I had the opportunity to travel and fish around the world. In 2001, I decided to head back to South Africa permanently and on arriving back in Cape Town, my brother introduced me to a friend of his who owned a bronze casting foundry. Knowing I had an interest in sculpture, they convinced me to make a sculpture in bronze. My first piece was a trout, and I managed to sell two pieces shortly after making them. The rest is history.

TCFF: What is your favourite medium to work with and why?

CB: As a youngster, my dad had a stone carving business, so in my free time, I used to carve fish out of semi-precious stone and wood. This laid the foundation for my interest in sculpture. The biggest problem with stone was that it was very fragile. Presently I prefer to use clay – it gives me the freedom to add and take away, create texture and also to work with fine detail. With bronze being my final medium, it allows me to work a lot finer and thinner because of its strength.

TCFF: Did you receive professional training in this field or medium?

CB: I am self-taught.

TCFF: Were you influenced by a particular event?

CB: When I was a youngster, I saw a bronze marlin on someone’s wall out in Hartbeespoort. It always intrigued me, and ever since, I’ve had a keen interest. My life took a swing when I became a dental technician by trade, but I suppose it went full circle when I took up full-time sculpture some 18 years ago.

TCFF: Tell us a bit about your workspace.