Seth Falconer re-interprets ancient mythologies to find their place in our world today. Through this re-interpretation, he unlocks the potential for healing in the stories and images that decorate our psyches.
The Centaur series
Title: ‘Social distancing’ Bronze on wood 22cm x 22cm x 29cm (without base) Limited edition: /13 Price: R 22 000 Sold: #2 Centaurs are mythical creatures traditionally depicted with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse. They are wild and fierce, well in control of their territory and their place in the social order. In his Centaur series, Seth portrays this creature in its
opposite aspects. With the head of a donkey and the body of a man, Seth’s centaur is sedentary, introverted, and self-conscious. Social Distancing, the second piece in the series, was created during South Africa’s first hard lockdown. Confined to shelter in place, this centaur attempts to reach out, and find what connection he can. He is as limited by his own emotional constraints as his physical environment and governmental bans. In his absurdity and awkwardness, he resonates with the most tender parts of the viewer. 
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Title: ‘The Thinker’ Bronze on wood 40cm x 24cm x 25cm Limited edition: /13 Price: R 18 000 Sold: #1, #2, #3, #6, #8, #9, #10 Images of a strong masculine warrior populate our collective unconsciousness, imbuing our perspectives with culturally-embedded stereotypes. This centaur, on the other hand, has a shape that is soft and full and his manner is introverted.
The original Centaur in the series, this piece draws on the imagery of Rodin's Thinker. In keeping with his introverted character, he is contemplative. He sits as a reminder of the quiet joys of an examined life.
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horus
The inspiration and namesake of this work is the Egyptian god Horus. Horus is the god of kingship and the god of the sky. He is typically depicted with the head of a falcon. In this piece, Horus has the wings to soar, but without arms, most of the human experience is beyond his reach. He embodies a dream and with it, a sense of absurdity. And yet, the vulnerability that this engenders is not without strength. Horus tops the hierarchy of Egyptian gods, and is a symbol of power and quintessence. There is no bird more powerful and quintessential than the secretary bird of the African plains. This is the inspiration for the wings of Horus. This subtly-nuanced sculpture speaks to the duality of our lives and identities.
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Title: ‘Horus’
Bronze on wood 41cm x 30cm x 33cm Limited edition: /13 Price: R 18 000 Sold: #1, #2, #3, #6 
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mermaid
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Title: ‘Mermaid’
Bronze 29cm x 24 cm x 18cm Limited edition: /13 Price: R 15 000 Sold: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 The Mythical Creatures Series strives to bring an element of whimsy to culturally-embedded mythological creatures by flipping the elements of beast and human. In addition to twisting the physical elements, the characteristics of each creature are counter-posed against their traditional depictions. Stereotyped understandings of these universal traits are explored and provoked. In this work, Seth explores the notion of beauty symbolized by the mermaid, which is typically focused on a demure attitude and slim form. This mermaid, in contrast, represents a joyous celebration of life and movement.
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resurrection
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Title: ‘Resurrection’
Bronze & wood 47cm x 22cm x 22cm Limited edition: /12 Price: R 21 000 Sold: #1, #2 
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Resurrection features the long-tailed widow bird, known in South Africa as a Sakabula. This creature is an African phoenix, as each winter, it loses its impressive tail feathers and regrows them each spring. It speaks of seasons and cycles, and the specific moment when we rise from the earth into our full power after grief and loss have stripped us bare. |
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between worlds
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Title: ‘Between Worlds’
Bronze 51cm x 19cm x 25cm Limited edition: /13 Price: R 24 000 Sold: #1 |
Between Worlds depicts a leaping man wearing the skull of an eland. It is inspired by the beliefs of the first peoples of Southern Africa - the San Bushmen. The San people revered nature and the eland in particular. It featured in many of their shamanic rituals, in which trance states were induced through dancing, the ingestion of herbs, and rhythmic chants. In this leap, the man moves between the material and non-material worlds, his form fragmenting in the moment of transcendence.
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