Images of Metal – Post -War Sculptures And Assemblages in South Africa

Images of Metal: Post-War Sculptures and Assemblages in South Africa by Elizabeth Rankin (1994, Witwatersrand University Press) is a landmark survey of South African metal sculpture, tracing the evolution of sculptural art in the country from the post-war period onward. This illustrated catalogue brings together more than twenty essays on individual sculptors — ranging from pioneering bronze and steel makers to contemporary artists experimenting in assemblage. Through these essays, Rankin explores the social, cultural and aesthetic currents that shaped the medium, offering readers a comprehensive history of metal as a sculptural material in South Africa.

Within Images of Metal, readers will encounter in-depth profiles of artists working in bronze, steel, wire, aluminium, and other metals — from representational works to abstract constructions and politically charged multimedia assemblages. Rankin delves into each artist’s technique, influences and development over time, while contextualising their work within South Africa’s broader artistic and historical landscape. The book thus serves as both a scholarly reference and a celebration of creative resilience and innovation under changing social conditions.

Published in 1994, this edition by Witwatersrand University Press remains a foundational text for collectors, art historians, and anyone interested in 20th-century South African sculpture. Images of Metal: Post-War Sculptures and Assemblages in South Africa stands out as a richly documented, thoughtfully curated and visually engaging resource — a must-have volume for any second-hand or specialist art-book collection seeking depth, context and historical breadth.