Artist: Thijs Nel
Date: 1993
Museum: University of Pretoria Museums (Pretoria, South Africa)
Technique: Sculpture
Peace Fountain is a work by the prominent South African artist Thijs Nel (1943-2020). In 1993, he created a stoneware ceramic fountain, known as The Peace Fountain, which was bought by the Felix Trust and donated to the University of Pretoria. Nel erected the fountain next to the Musaion Building (houses the Department of Music and Music Library) on the main Hatfield Campus. The fountain in its totality is created from ceramic materials. However, the work as seen currently is not the original fountain. In 2001 a student damaged the original fountain by trying to climb onto it. The original structure of the fountain was damaged to the degree that it had to be replaced. Nevertheless, the work is made up of four ceramic blocks at the bottom, forming a cross shape. The cross symbolises that Africa came to a crossroad. The first block on top of the cross is a grinding stone, which shows Africa’s early development. It is then topped with another grinding stone, but one with a hole right through. The second grinding stone represents the impact of colonialism. The third level is a broken grinding stone, that is inverted back to back and indicates the technological advancement of Africa. At the very top, an egg is depicted in ceramic as a sign of new life with water flowing out of it, signifying living water. Short Biography: Thijs Nel was born on the farm Waterkloof near Pretoria on 8 June 1943. During his career as an artist, he achieved considerable renown as a potter and ceramicist. In 1990, the Silver University of Pretoria Medal was awarded to Nel for his contribution to South African art. Thijs Nel passed away on 27 March 2020.
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