Elitana Sibanda Master Sculptor

Elitana Sibanda is a South African artist that carves all his artwork pieces out of one piece of wood.

Leadwood (Combretum Imberbe):

He uses the notoriously difficult wood called ‘leadwood’, or Combretum Imberbe. The wood is very hard, difficult to work, and termite resistant. It was once used for railway sleepers and is now prized as wood for ornamental work and furniture. In spite of the challenges of working with leadwood the detail of his work is very fine and delicate. The form, texture and folds the skins of his animals are nothing short of phenomenal.

Photographic Memory:

Every few months Elitana travels to his family home near the Kruger National Park. There he purchased blocks of hardwood and has it shipped to Cape Town. He also spends that time to go in the South African bush and examine the wildlife first-hand. Incredibly, he uses no photographs or images for reference. Only his photographic memory.

Life-like detail:

If you look at some of the detail you will find that the protruding elements of his pieces like ear, horns, tails and base has all been carved out of the same piece and not stuck on afterwards.

Elitana lives with his family in Cape Town, South Africa. He has a studio workshop just outside the city centre where he spends the most part of the day working. He is a true artist, passionate about his craft that is ever evolving.