Carol does more than sculpt figures, she builds entire worlds. Her bronze works are both fantastical and familiar, inviting the viewer into a space where imagination meets meaning. Drawing from nursery rhymes, fairy tales, wordplay, and cultural symbols, her sculptures are layered and whimsical, often humorous on the surface yet deeply reflective beneath. They speak to the child within while offering subtle commentary on the social and cultural landscapes of adult life.

Born in Germiston and raised among the rolling hills of the Magaliesburg mountains, Carol’s artistic journey began early. Inspired by her father’s passion for the arts, she went on to study at the Johannesburg School of Art, Ballet, Drama and Music, later earning a diploma in Ceramics from the Technikon of the Witwatersrand. Her gift for sculpture quickly emerged. By her twenties, she was running a thriving pottery studio, at one point hand-painting more than 4,000 ceramic pieces a day.

But with success came challenges. When market shifts forced her to close the studio, Carol turned to iconography, painting churches in the Byzantine tradition. Years later, a quiet visit to a gallery changed everything. Moved by the sculptures she encountered, she walked out, bought clay, and started again, this time with bronze. That moment rekindled her creative fire.

Today, Carol is one of South Africa’s most celebrated sculptors. Her work, often described as Magic Realism, blends exquisite craftsmanship with narrative power. Each piece is rich in symbolism, emotion, and meticulous detail. Her sculptures are held in major private and corporate collections around the world, recognised for their originality, humanity, and voice.

At The Academy, we are proud to share Carol’s work. Her sculptures remind us that art can be both playful and profound. That truth and beauty can coexist. And that the best stories are the ones that speak to every part of who we are.