Spier Sculpture Biennial, 2005

Group Exhibition, Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, 15 January – 15 March 2005

Tools of the Trade paid tribute to more...

Tools of the Trade paid tribute to the farm labourers working in the wine industry. The wine producing valleys of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl appeal to and cater for a supposedly sophisticated, educated and exclusive market: in a sense an extension of the farming communities that were settled from the time the Europeans arrived in the Cape. However, at the time the industry largely rested on an unstable and troubled social structure fuelled by alcoholism, abuse (particularly of women and children), and a tradition of exploitation of the workforce. While some farmers and sectors of the industry were at pains to change this reality, this harsh juxtaposition was seen by many to be actively maintained and manipulated for the benefit of the industry as a whole. This sculpture, scattered amongst the flowerbed near the slave bell on the Spier estate, paid homage to the workers and the humble tools of their trade and speaks of how their economic disempowerment ties them to the land.

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Tools of the Trade - Pick Axe, 2005 Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Pick Axe, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 170 cm high x 91 cm wide x 25 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Rake, 2005 - Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Rake, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 160 cm high x 152 cm wide x 42 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Spade, 2005 - Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Spade, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 160 cm high x 152 cm wide x 42 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Fork, 2005 - Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Fork, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 160 cm high x 99 cm wide x 25 cm deep.

Johann van der Schijff took part in the, The 2nd Spier Outdoor Sculpture Biennial, Spier estate, Stellenbosch, 15th January - 15th March 2005

Tools of the Trade - Rake (detail), 2005 - Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Rake (detail), 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 160 cm high x 152 cm wide x 42 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Spade, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 150 cm high x 107 cm wide x 25 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Spade (detail), 2005 - Johann van der Schijff

Tools of the Trade - Spade (detail), 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 107cm wide x 150cm high x 25cm deep.

Tools of the Trade - Pick Axe, 2005, found implement, galvanized and painted mild steel, aluminium, rubber, 170 cm high x 91 cm wide x 25 cm deep.

Tools of the Trade, concept drawings.