Anton Smit: From Childhood Dream to Sculpture Empire

Early Inspiration

When Anton Smit first heard the name Michelangelo as a kid, he pictured the artist as an actual angel. Later he discovered Michelangelo was just a man—“with a last name, Buonarroti!”—and that realization sparked his own ambition. Seeing how Renaissance sculptors could turn marble into breathtaking tributes to the human body, Smit asked himself why he couldn’t do the same.

Building a Sculpture Business

Born in Boksburg in 1954, Smit devoted himself to sculpture from a young age and started winning competitions in the 1970s. He describes his rise as “sheer grind.” Today he oversees more than 30 employees who run studios in Gauteng and the Western Cape, a sculpture park, and a full‑service operation that handles casting, sales, and installations.

Signature Works and Materials

Smit’s pieces are mainly made of steel, fiberglass, and bronze. He is best known for massive heads and colossal nudes that appear in far‑flung spots such as:

• Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch
• Century City Art Trail in Cape Town
• Benguela Cove near Hermanus
• Steyn City in Midrand

Locations Where His Art Shines

One of his signature oversized faces rests beside a dam at Creation, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.

Latest Exhibition at Creation Wines

This month Smit opened his newest show, “Walking in the Spirit of Creation,” at Creation Wines in the Hemel‑en‑Aarde Valley—about a 90‑minute drive from Cape Town. Creation is already a top‑10 vineyard in the World’s 50 Best Vineyards list, celebrated for cool‑climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as its wine‑food pairings and ever‑changing gallery space in the Tasting Room and Fynbos Gardens.

The Exhibition Theme

Set 290 m high on a ridge with vineyards spilling into the hills, the exhibition features monumental figures set against dams and vines, plus life‑size and smaller works scattered through the garden and restaurant. The setting adds drama to an already striking landscape.

Connection to Brother – Guardian Angel

During the opening tour, Smit shared a deeply personal piece called *Guardian Angel*. It depicts a sinewy man with angel wings, one toe touching the ground as if poised to dive. The work commemorates a day he spent diving with his brother—a day when the ocean calmed, sunlight pierced the water, and they shared a perfect moment. Two months later his brother lost his battle with aggressive cancer. The sculpture stands as a tribute to that brother and the fleeting beauty of their shared experience.

Art Meets Wine – The Tasting Experience

Creation’s philosophy is simple: “The wine leads and the dish responds.” Each course of the six‑chapter tasting menu is built around one of the farm’s wines, while the menu follows Ayurvedic principles—gluten‑free, dairy‑free, low‑sugar, and anti‑inflammatory—yet still feels indulgent and beautifully plated.

Wine Leads, Dish Responds

The experience begins with a celeriac rosti paired with garden vegetables, kimchi, and green‑tea kombucha labneh, accompanied by a Semillon. As the courses progress, guests taste Viognier, then a Chardonnay served in a polished periwinkle bowl that they hold to their ear—an exercise in “neuro‑enology,” where sound, aroma, memory, and sensation shape flavor.

Highlights of the Six‑Chapter Menu

• Chapter 1: Celeriac hash browns with vegetables, kimchi, and labneh.
• Chapter 4: Springbok leg with polenta and wintergreens.
• Chardonnay course: Trout with avocado, roasted fennel, and caviar, enjoyed while listening to the Atlantic breeze through the bowl.
• Dessert: Dark chocolate fondant with a tiny chocolate replica of one of Smit’s masks, reinforcing the idea that creativity is the sweetest note.

Why Smit’s Work Resonates with Teens

Smit’s art speaks to young audiences because it blends bold, larger‑than‑life forms with intimate, personal stories. His refusal to over‑explain each piece invites viewers to bring their own interpretations—perfect for a generation that values individual expression. The mix of raw materials (steel, bronze) with delicate details shows that strength and sensitivity can coexist, a message that resonates with teens navigating their own identities.

Conclusion

Anton Smit’s journey from a child who imagined Michelangelo as an angel to a sculptor who runs a thriving artistic empire illustrates how passion, hard work, and a willingness to share personal stories can turn raw material into lasting inspiration. At Creation Wines, his towering figures coexist with expertly crafted wine and food, offering visitors a multi‑sensory reminder that art, like a good meal, is best enjoyed when all the senses are invited to the table. Whether you’re drawn by the massive bronze heads, the moving tribute to his brother, or the inventive wine pairings, Smit’s work invites everyone to see the beauty in the human form—and perhaps, to see a bit of themselves reflected in it.