Anton Smit (sculptor)

Anton Sydney Smit (born 2 August 1954) is a contemporary South African sculptor. He is known for his large-scale sculptures and public art exhibitions. He is the father of South African Artist, Lionel Smit.
== Career ==
Being entirely self taught, Smit began exhibiting art in 1976 in South Africa. In 1979 he won the South African Association of Arts' New Signatures competition. His first solo exhibition in 1980 was held at the Beuster Skolimowski Gallery in Pretoria, South Africa with further local exhibitions throughout the 1980’s. 
The first international exhibitions of Smit’s work were held in 1991 in Rome and Milan, and at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoletto, Italy, followed by solo exhibitions at Sweeguan Art Gallery, Singapore in 1993 and Omni Gallery, New York in 1994. 
His work was exhibited at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela 1994 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.
In 2003 he established the Anton Smit Sculpture Park at Bronkhorstspruit dam, South Africa.
Throughout the 2000’s until present, Smit continues creating new works and exhibiting internationally.
== Style ==
Smit’s body of work comprises heads, human figures, nudes, masks, hands, angels, floating and stretching figures, warriors as well as abstract works in steel, metal, stone, a unique iron and polymer cast mixture, and bronze.
His works depict the human form reduced to a simplified symmetry, almost cleansed off everything but the form itself. The work is often imbued with an illusion of movement or gesture, bodies curling up or limbs reaching out to the onlooker. His works are often patinated with vivid blue hues or dark rust. 
His sculptures often gives the impression of lightness and flight. His work evokes themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory and sublimation with a raw, earthy African atmosphere.
== Selected gallery and public exhibitions ==
1976: Etno Africa Gallery, Pretoria
1980: Solo exhibition, Beuster-Skolomowski Gallery, Pretoria
1980: A. P. S. A. National Exhibition at the Olivetti Gallery
1985: Exhibition, Michaelatos-Gallery, the Joffa Collection, Los Angeles
1994: Exhibition in Bonn, Germany
1994: Public Exhibition, Grand Central Station, New York
1996: Launch of the BMW 5 series, Sandton Square, Johannesburg
2000: Exhibition Laguna Beach, California
2001: Exhibition Hamburg, Germany
2005: The ID of South African Art, Scheveningen, Holland
2012: Transitions, George, South Africa
2016 “Colossal”, Australian Bronze, Sydney, Australia
2017: SCOPE Art Fair, presented by DL Gallery, New York
2019: Ferrari Fine Arts Exhibition featuring Anton Smit, Johannesburg
2020: New Futurism, Uitstalling Gallery, Genk, Belgium
2021: SculptX, Fourth Edition, Johannesburg, South Africa
2022: "Anton Smit: The Walk of Life", Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham, UK 
2022: Contemporary South Africa, Thompson’s Gallery, London, UK
2022: Spirit of Tswane, Menlyn on Maine, Pretoria, South Africa
2023: Anton Smit Open Air Exhibition, Century City, Cape Town
== Selected collections ==
Rupert Art Foundation - Stellenbosch
Grande Provence – Franschhoek
Delaire Graff Estate - Stellenbosh 
Lourensford – Somerset West
Benguela Cove – Hermanus
Century City Arts Foundation - Cape Town
Category:1954 births
Category:South African people
Category:Contemporary sculptors