Comedic wooden sculptures salute Capetonian culture

Boeta Phyf uses his craftsmanship to explore pop culture with wooden sculptures and 3D graffiti, writes Lauren Albertyn

The spotlight is on Boeta Phyf. The 30-something artist specialises in wooden characters, masks, Russian dolls and 3D graffiti. His work – created in his garage – is intricate and filled with humour.

Phyf’s work is focused on the idea of public spaces – where anyone can do anything at any given moment. The wooden sculptures which he is best known for often refer to pop and mass culture. Phyf’s work is light-hearted and his meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail set him apart.

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Phyf’s work is entrenched in South African culture, particularly Cape Town culture, and he is not picky about where it gets showcased – it can be seen anywhere from fish and chips shops to galleries. His 3D wooden masks are what caught my friend’s attention.

As soon as she saw his work at Eclectica Design & Art gallery she sent me a link to Phyf’s Instagram. I was intrigued from the start. I could clearly see that each mask had taken time to create and I was struck by the detail and humorous names of the pieces, like “Hou Jou Bek” and “Michelle Complain”. “These are caricatures and doppelgangers placed into the South African culture potjie pot,” he says.

Phyf has worked as an artist-in-residence at many schools, old age homes and health programmes. “I do this on my own, and sometimes in collaboration with other people of all ages, abilities and persuasions,” he says.

Phyf’s inspiration is the melting pot that is the Mother City. He dives into the light and dark spaces of the city, exploring a diverse range of topics: from street culture, sex and drugs to Bashew’s soft drinks and Gatsbys.

“Like Geppetto, I create my characters in a garage. They are wooden stand-up comedians and the viewer comes to enjoy their routine and can relate to the frustrations, sarcasm and slang that these Pinocchios are built from,” he says.

See Phyf's art at Eclectica Design & Art gallery and KnexT Art Gallery in Cape Town as well  by following him on Instagram: @boetaphyf.  

This article was originally published in one of the Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property and Lifestyle guides. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.