16/11/2025
Meet Thea Erasmus
A fiercely original sculptor who crafts emotion from mortar.
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Thea—a self-taught South African sculptor based in Umtentweni KZN South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, who works exclusively with mortar (the concrete type) to create freehand sculptures. I don’t mold, I sculpt. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, shaped by hand, never cast or replicated. With the exception of my Succulent Planters.
From April 2020 to April 2023, I sculpted 157 lifesize busts that double as head planters, each one complete with drainage holes and a unique expression. But that’s just a slice of my journey—over the last nine years, I’ve completed over 800 bespoke commissions: from hundreds of proteas and roses, to two 1.5-ton cement seals, and a 2.5-meter-tall, 2.5-ton marlin—my only armature build, reinforced with wood, steel, and Styrofoam.
To put the work into perspective:
A traditional clay bust can take 240+ hours to sculpt and months to cure.
Carving stone? That can take up to 80 hours, even for pros.
Sculpting with wet concrete-mortar is more complicated than the other mediums
Rush the curing process of mortar? You risk shrinkage cracks and reduced design strength.
Sculpting isn’t just craft—it’s fine art. It’s about proportion, scale, orientation, articulation, and balance.
While casting uses molds to replicate a piece, my art is entirely original and protected by copyright—each sculpture is a standalone work of art, and reproducing it is not permitted.
I’m proud to be in the lineage of greats—from Henry Moore (who created 21 concrete sculptures between 1926–1934) to the legendary Michelangelo. Sculpting takes many forms—freestanding, relief, environments—and while beginners might start with water-based clay, I use wet concrete-mortar or wet concrete cement mix and my tools include point chisels, tooth chisels, sanding paper, and a good old hammer.
In addition to my hand-sculpted work, I also offer a full range of molded succulent planters, which are readily available for purchase. Supporting small businesses like mine truly matters, and your support is deeply valued.
Outside the studio, I’ve built a career in education and empowerment. In 2021, I authored an accredited volleyball coaching course (SAQA ID: COA/BEGVOLL/4/0065) for CATHSSETA, which is now used by PIOTC (Pass It On Training Centre) to equip coaches and promote youth upliftment through sport.
My educational journey has played a foundational role in shaping my professional path. I hold a Higher Diploma in Education with a focus on physical Adult Education, whilst I never studied Arts. This combination of self taught skills and disciplines—movement, language, and creative expression—continues to inform my sculptural work, teaching style, and the way I connect with others through art and learning.
Educated with a BBA from UNISA and deep expertise in learning & development (NQF level 6), she’s worked as a Corporate Trainer, Technical Writer, Sales Team Leader, and much more before fully stepping into her calling as a full-time artist in 2017. Whether she was designing HIV/AIDS training with USAID or mentoring telesales teams to award-winning success, or just selling cars, Thea always led with heart, humour, and creative flair.
From corporate training to monumental marlins, I’ve always followed the pulse of creativity—and it keeps beating louder.
A fiercely original sculptor who crafts emotion from mortar.
Did you know that subscribers get added discounts when buying my products?
Subscribe today and simply contact me on WhatsApp 082 703 3943 for subscribers' discounts and bring whimsy to your windowsill with succulent planters by Thea Erasmus – R200 each.
Delight in the charm of handcrafted elegance with our serene head planters, each lovingly designed to cradle lush succulents and uplift your space with peaceful energy.
By supporting this small business, you're igniting the passion of a driven entrepreneur, nurturing family bonds, and helping your community bloom. Courier countrywide – beauty delivered to your door, wherever you are in South Africa!
Order now via WhatsApp: https://wa.me/c/27827033943
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