Ferdi B. Dick started off as a 3D animator and has subsequently established himself as a contemporary sculptor, currently based in Cape Town. His utilisation of cutting-edge computational technology, combined with the ancient technique of lost-wax bronze casting (and recent explorations into modern stainless steel sculpting), results in a body of three-dimensional work with exaggerated features and forms that are directly influenced by cartoons and animation. He uses innocent, child-like characters with strong personal emotion connections, thus re-appropriating popular culture and placing it in the realm of fine art. Ferdi’s sculptures start out as digital models, finding material form via 3D printing, and finally are cast in bronze or stainless steel. 

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Ferdi has a strong passion (and compassion) for animals, in particular for wildlife and domestic animals. His focus is in trying to capture their emotions from the inside-out, as these animals are unable to project and speak out their own fear, happiness or anger.

By anthropomorphising animals in animated, action-orientated poses, Ferdi’s artwork focuses on the emotional state of his subjects. Viewers empathise with the creatures’ perspectives, and environmental issues which affect them. Ferdi has participated in several group exhibitions both nationally and internationally, including in South Africa, Belgium, Spain, China, and Taiwan. Some notable highlights include showing at the Future Art Fair in Taipei, Taiwan in January 2020. The artist has also had success in the realm of public sculptures, completing his first public sculpture in 2021, a 5- metre high Ox kicking up a splash, and 3 large tiger sculptures in 2022 in China. Recently, he completed an inflatable public sculpture of a 7 meter rabbit for the city of Taiyuan in 2023. He is currently working on a 9-meter high public sculpture for the city of Zhanjiang, China. The sculpture will be located in a prime spot in the new coastal CBD of Zhanjiang International Riverside.