Who is Strijdom van der Merwe?

Strijdom is a South African award-winning land artist who uses materials he finds on site to create his artworks. His materials include sand, water, wood, rocks and stone.

BIG IDEAS: Strijdom van der Merwe wanted to make as big an artwork as possible, and something that gives people enjoyment when they look at it, that is playful and intriguing, evocative of children flying over the crouched bodies of their playmates in a game of leapfrog

PICTURE: ARAMINTA DE CLERMONT © SUNDAY TIMES

By shaping these elements into geometric forms he juxtaposes the contrast between artwork and environment, growth and destruction.

Van der Merwe studied art at the University of Stellenbosch, after which he obtained various other qualifications in the same discipline, as well as architecture. He also lectured computer graphics at Stellenbosch.Van der Merwe’s sterling work saw him become an ‘artist in residence’ at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in Canterbury, England. His work is frequently exhibited in galleries throughout South Africa. He has done commissions throughout the world, including South Korea, Turkey, Lithuania, France, Belgium, Sweden, Japan, Italy and Australia.

back to the The First Trans-Africa Flight memorial page

IN THE CLASSROOM

	Archive Photo Gallery
	Crowds and crashes abound in our collection of images of Van Ryneveld and Brand’s 1920 flying feat.

	Artwork Photo Gallery
	Get closer to Strijdom van der Merwe’s memorial to the first flight from England to South Africa.