Sarel Petrus (b. 1977, South Africa) is a sculptor whose work explores the timeless connection between human existence and the natural environment. Working primarily in bronze and wood, he transforms found objects and organic materials into sculptures that serve as trophies for unknown lives, inviting viewers to project their own memories and emotions onto his forms.
Petrus graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the Tshwane (Pretoria) University of Technology in 2004 and honed his skills in bronze casting during eight years in the studio of highly acclaimed South African sculptor Guy du Toit.
His practice reflects a deep engagement with the natural world, influenced by his passion for hiking and rock climbing, which takes him to both remote landscapes and urban spaces. These journeys - both physical and imaginative - inform his meditative approach to sculpture, where he contemplates the hidden convergences between traditional culture, throwaway modernity, and the fragile remains of nature.
His works have been featured in numerous group exhibitions, earning him recognition as a Top 10 Finalist in the 2007 ABSA L'Atelier and recipient of the Sculpture Merit Award at the 2014 Thami Mnyele Fine Art Awards.
Today, Sarel Petrus continues to develop a unique sculptural voice, creating works that bridge memory, environment, and abstraction.