Simon Max Bannister (1982- )
Exhibited Work
With his heart in the bushveld at Londolozi Game Reserve, Simon Max Bannister (1982) has endeavoured for many years to create wildlife sculpture. After a successful show for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation working with timber, he found representation at Rountree Tryon Galleries in London. In South Africa, he has now turned his hand to bronze. With Nic Bladen as an inspiration in his passion for endangered plant species and a partial mentor to Simon in his unique casting process, Simon’s distinctive language and direction have emerged in a studio space he shares with Dylan Lewis and several other sculptors in Simonstown.While keeping a diversity in materials, his language is unique, passionate and self-taught. He has realized multiple private commissions, works for wine estates, game reserves and educational facilities. His passion for the environment has also inspired an immersive collaborative workshop of land art walks. Bannister has participated in events such as Infecting the City, Site_Specific, AfrikaBurn, The South African National Arts Festival and was recently awarded Wildlife Artist of the year by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Recent Interview with Simon and SA Tourism
BIO – Timeline
2011
Trans Atlantic ‘ 5 Gyres Plastic Research Expedition’ Residency – January
‘Plastikos’ Cape Town 2 Oceans Aquarium – February
‘Reflection Synthetic’ Exhibition Grahamstown National Arts Festival – July
Franschoek Private Commission – August
‘Water, the [Delicate] Thread of Life, Standard Bank Gallery – October
Durban COP17 COPART Climate Train – November
2012
Tankwa Karoo “Solace” AfrikaBurn – April
Kranshoek Private Commission – August
Plettenberg Bay Site_Specific – August
‘Ek-Duo’ Exhibition Cape Town GIPCA – September
2013
Kranshoek Private Commission – January
Tankwa Karoo “Compression” AfrikaBurn – April
London David Shepherd Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year – May
Waterberg Residency – June
Kruger Park Mjejane Private Commission – July
Johannesburg Art Fair, Journey Series, – July
Kranshoek Private Commission – August
Londolozi Private Commission – September
Port Alfred Residency – October
Cape Town, Mana Bay, Private Commission – November
Nelspruit, Journey Series, Infecting the City – December
2014
Lapland Sebbatical – January
Londolozi Residency – February
Franschoek, Boekenhoutskloof Private Commission – March
Londolozi Residency – April
Tankwa Karoo “The Offering” AfrikaBurn – May
Hermanus Fynarts Festival – June
Simonstown Bronze Age Studio – June
London – Wild Uncovered Collaborative Exhibition – Oct
2015
Rajastan, India, Jawai Private Commission – January
Simonstown Bronze Age Studio – February / November