How Carol Cauldwell makes her money as a renowned sculptor

Bruce Whitfield speaks to Carol Cauldwell, renowned sculptor.

Carol Claudwell is at her happiest when she has clay in her hands.

She was inspired by her father’s love for art, which led her to join the Johannesburg school of Art, Ballet, Drama and Music, first specialising in music and then changing over to art.

She acquired a diploma in ceramics from WITS Technicon where she excelled in sculpture. Upon completing her diploma, she began a Pottery Studio in Magaliesburg.

In 2011 she started sculpting in wax and bronze casting, opening new doors for her in the field of sculpting.

Having first channeled her anger into creating 'angry' pieces to get over pain and hurt, she was then encouraged by her mentor, veteran artist Trent Read to create more joyful art.

"...and I just love to see people smile when they see my work."

- Carol Cauldwell, renowned sculptor

"I love to sit quietly and watch people look at my work. I've taken lots of photos with people, they don't know it's me, so it's my big joy."

Carol Cauldwell, renowned sculptor

It's from this point on that Carol started creating the sculptures she's become renowned for. Art that is now found in public spaces in Johannesburg such as Melrose Arch.

Her career as a sculptor was far from smooth sailing.

Her ceramics factory in Modderfontein, produced up to 4,000 hand painted units a day was a major success.

But due to an array of problems and circumstances, the factory had to close its doors, leaving her distraught. 

She says she would often create pieces for people out of anger 

"It was a very bumpy road to get me here, I was in a particularly hard marriage, and I was very angry and a lot of that earlier work was angry. At that time if somebody annoyed me, I had the pleasure of making them a lovely sculpture."

- Carol Cauldwell, sculptor 

But she's moved on from what's weighed her down in the past, creating pieces of work she's immensely proud of, and excited to show off to the people of South Africa and the world. 

"I've climbed a lot of steps and I'm deeply, deeply grateful for where I am at the moment."

Carol Cauldwell, sculptor 

"That one sculpture at Melrose, there's that rabbit on the bench like a psychologist. It gives me no more joy, that you get old people snuggling up to that rabbit...it's therapy. I made him as a psychologist, and he really is."

Carol Cauldwell, sculptor 

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