Since early childhood, Cape Town artist Sarel Greyling has been intrigued by the potential within the mundane – plasticine clay being a case in point. From building tiny houses with miniature clay bricks to creating action clay figures, Sarel would intricately fashion the finest of features. He realised that he enjoys portraying the human face, not only in clay but also through sketching. After matriculating in 1988, Sarel studied Fine Arts at the University of Pretoria, specialising in Information Design (Graphic Design). Starting his career in packaging design and advertising, he soon found his niche in magazine publication design. During this time, Sarel embarked on the adventure of a two year European working holiday, intentionally broadening his creative scope. While working as a carer for the elderly, he enjoyed doing portrait studies in charcoal of his charges. In the English countryside he learned to weave on a loom, in Italy he explored figure sculpting and in Germany he studied sculpture for a term at the Dresden Academy of Visual Arts, taking bookbinding as an extra subject. From mid-2000 until 2019 Sarel worked as Art Director at various Cape Town-based magazines (women’s interest, decor and lifestyle titles). Since April 2019 he’s chosen to pursue a freelance career, devoting more time to his passion as a fine artist. Sarel lives in the beautiful town of Paarl with his wife, two children and two cats. ACHIEVEMENTS: 2019 VulekaAward–Finalist 2015 SanlamNationalPortraitAward–Portrait100 1994 ABSAAtelierArtCompetition–Finalist 1992 Human Communications, Phillips International – First prize, South Africa 1989 NewSignaturesCompetition–MeritAward