Wallflowers Gargoyle Trinity

A three-piece sculpture of hyena heads carved from stacks of Paper, titled Wallflowers Gargoyle Trinity done in 2000 by the South African artist Wim Botha (b.1974) as part of his wild life series. This work was carved from stacks of government forms and Papers that represent three hyenas displayed as hunting trophies mounted on a wall. The hyenas are a metaphor for gargoyles that ward of evil. The message of this work is symbolised by utilising government Papers and the depiction of hyena gargoyles effective in protecting civic society. Ironically, the mounted works reflect also hunting trophies as hyenas are signatory predators on the African savannah and are often symbolised as wild animal of ridicule due to their wild 'laugh', hence, why they are commonly known as laughing hyenas. Hyenas are fierce pack animals, cowardly associated with death, corruption, impurity and usually negative icons. Short biography: Wim Botha was born in 1974 in Pretoria and studied his BA Fine Arts at the University of Pretoria. As a student, he was often controversial in the messages he portrayed in his artworks often using stacks of bibles to create religious icons and stacks of government text as commentary. Botha uses this particular Paper medium to seclude his radical content in his sculptures, whereas the subject matter may not be deemed controversial. The use of the type of Paper to create his works are iconic of his radical commentary. Botha has won several art awards for his sculptures, which include the Standard Bank Young Artist Award (2005) and the Helgaard Steyn Prize for sculpture (2013) he has exhibited locally and internationally in countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Sweden and Senegal.