Maritza Breitenbach

From a young age, Maritza was captivated by the wonders of the natural world. As a child, she wandered with the spirit of a baby-scientist, driven by an insatiable urge to explore. Armed with precision cutting tools from her father, she eagerly dissected creatures large and small, from cockroaches to frogs, mice, and even sharks during her studies in Zoology. This early fascination with anatomy and physiology laid the groundwork for her lifelong passion for understanding life in its intricate forms.

Growing up as a tomboy with a deep love for the outdoors, Maritza spent countless hours climbing trees and engaging with the earth’s elements. Today, she still finds solace in the woods, singing to herself as she observes and interacts with nature’s treasures—leaves, mushrooms, shells, and tiny insects—each a testament to the beauty and complexity of our world.

Maritza’s journey into sculpting began serendipitously beside a riverbank, where she first molded figurines from clay-like mud while the children fished. Recognizing a latent talent, friends encouraged her to explore sculpting further. Under the mentorship of Barend Grobbelaar at Studio Visio Art School, she honed her craft for three transformative years before continuing her artistic evolution in the Western Cape.

In her solo artistic practice, Maritza embraces a philosophy of play, experimentation, and freedom. Each piece she creates is a celebration of spontaneity and exploration, reflecting her enduring joy in the creative process. Whether shaping clay into expressive forms or venturing into the wild for inspiration, her art is a testament to the wonder of discovery and the boundless possibilities of imagination.

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Johan Bloom