Marke Meyer

 Discover our featured artist at Benguela Gallery: Marke Meyer  

Marke Meyer: Poet of Bronze and Light

Discover the world of Marke Meyer, a South African sculptor whose artistry transcends the ordinary. Meyer, a poet in both thought and expression, has abandoned traditional mediums for the three-dimensional world of sculpture, creating what he calls 'visual poetry'. His fascination with the human form, especially the female figure, is evident in his works. Preferring the nude for its ability to transcend context, Meyer's sculptures explore abstract concepts and emotions, presenting the figure as a metaphor for mind and spirit. His innovative use of suspension in displaying his works adds a sense of lightness and whimsy, capturing the essence of freedom. Meyer's journey from a successful nursery business owner to a full-time artist is a testament to his passion and commitment to art. His works, available globally, reflect a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, making Marke Meyer a unique and visionary artist in the contemporary art world. 

Looking for exquisite art in Cape Town or Hermanus? We ship Marke’s artworks worldwide. Our friendly team is here to assist with everything from quotes to personalised requests. Contact us today for a piece of South African art that resonates with you. Contact our team now. 

About Marke Meyer - Sculptor & Photographer

Born in Kokstad, Marke's childhood unfolded amidst the mountains of Lesotho. In 1981, he graduated from Westville Boy’s High School and pursued a BSc Agric. (Hort), completing it in 1987. 

Post-graduation, Marke ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing his own successful wholesale nursery business for eighteen years. During this time, he delved into art privately, focusing on figurative expressions. 

Sculpture and photography became Marke's chosen mediums for exploring the human form. As his artistic acclaim grew, Marke sold his thriving horticultural business, marking the beginning of his full-time career as a professional artist. 

Marke Meyer Biography

Marke is essentially a poet at heart. Having abandoned the pen and paper in exchange for space itself, Marke now uses sculpture to create his own unique, quirky concoction of 'visual poetry'.

According to Marke: "Figures fascinate me...especially the female figure. I prefer the nude figure as it is free of context allowing for an open-ended expression of abstract concepts and emotions. The figure, metaphoric in every sense, describes a state of mind, or more often the projection of ‘mind’ into a space removed... a mind-space perhaps. This is a comfortable, magical space without restraint or restriction. The human body, either in frenetic movement or caught at rest, remains my only playground. My sculptures transmit the awareness of transitioning into adulthood without losing the subjective naivety and curiosity of the younger person. My works are about growing on one’s own terms. Often there is a subtle reference to the question ‘What if?’ – What if Eve hadn’t plucked the apple? What if we had chosen a different ‘shoe’ for our path? Through the questioning, we may perhaps arrive at a deeper self-knowledge."

Marke has pioneered the use of suspension to best display his works and to create a feeling of lightness, whimsy and freedom. Marke constantly re-invents himself as an artist but always remains true to his narrative. He is an innovator who constantly experiments with new concepts: these include the use of other metals (e.g. stainless steel); new technology (laser cutting, scanning and enlargement); and new finishes (textures and chroming).

Marke Meyer is a sculptor, art photographer and a multi-media artist. He was born in Kokstad, spent his childhood in the mountains of Lesotho and matriculated from Westville Boy's High School in 1981. He studied for a B.Sc. Agric. (Hort) and graduated in 1987. He then opened his own wholesale nursery business which he ran successfully for eighteen years.

During all these years he studied art privately with his passion being in all things figurative. Sculpture and photography became his tools to explore the human figure. Years ago, with his growing success as an artist, he was finally able to sell the horticultural business and set out on a career as a full-time artist. Marke Meyer's work is available for sale in Belgium and South African galleries. He is able to ship worldwide. His pieces have travelled abroad to North America, Central America, South America, United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Asia and Australia.