Sculptress and artist Yolandi Diesel has been carving detailed patterns and design into animal skulls for years. We caught
up with her to find out more
How did you get into this ancient art of bone carving?
I have always been drawn to skulls and wildlife, and starting to work with it happened by chance really. A couple of years ago, while admiring my skull collection, the idea came to mind to adorn and carve beautiful patterns on these natural beauties. I like to refer to my sculptures as ‘living wildlife art’ and want my carvings to enhance these beautiful skulls.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My heart belongs to South Africa, so without a doubt definitely nature, our indigenous flowers and trees, as well as everyday things around me. Before I do anything to them, I like to think of skulls as nature’s own sculptures. I like to look at the skull and feel it. My designs and patterns would then follow the natural lines, curves and flow of the shape.
How long does one piece of art generally take to create from start to finish?
From receiving the piece, developing and sketching the design, hand carving and chiselling the bone to the final finishing
off with sanding and polishing, and lastly sealing the art piece – it can take anywhere from 4 to 5 weeks to complete.
What has been your greatest achievement in your career to date?
I have appeared on KykNET’s Kwêla, placed overall 2nd place in our Innibos National Craft Award, had a feature in Beeld newspaper and beautiful write-ups in Lowveld Living magazine as well as The Intrepid Explorer magazine. I am absolutely honoured to be featured in Livingspace magazine! It has been a firm favourite in my home. I do not want to highlight only one as an achievement, but I believe all of them are right up there in my opinion. The fact that I can be a creative and stylist, and do this every day as a living – that is my greatest achievement. The exposure I’ve received over the years is my greatest encouragement – it’s my motivation and drive for bigger and better. Onwards and upwards from here.
What made you choose this as a medium?
I like that I can transform each unique piece into a beautiful artwork and conversation piece. I see beauty in the remains and enhance it. I like to create and tell a story –my canvas just happens to be bone.
While it’s luxurious, I’m sure that you may have received a bit of hate from time to time due to your chosen medium. Anything you’d like to share on this?
I have received a lot of hate, mainly people questioning why I do this – and is this the only part of an animal we are leaving behind for our children to see? They think I kill animals for my art. I have never killed anything in my life. I do not see it like that –I see the beauty in what I can create from these skulls after death. They would have been left to naturally decay in nature. I’m just giving it a second chance to become a beautiful bone sculpture art piece.
Do you have any plans for exhibiting your work or any secret projects you’d love to give us the inside details on?
Yes! I am so excited for what lies ahead for my business and brand. I am going to be featured on the TV show DeKat, my art pieces will be in a couple of our local galleries, and I’ll be focusing on expanding my jewellery range, which I make out of buffalo horn and warthog tusks.
Words by Yashna Balwanth
Photography: Courtesy Images
