Dineo Khyemba talks to Dr Angus Van Zyl Taylor on receiving His honorory degree
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The University of South Africa (Unisa) conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (Honoris Causa) on well-known South African artist, Mr Angus Van Zyl Taylor, at a graduation ceremony held at its Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.
The honorary degree was conferred on Mr Van Zyl Taylor in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the field of visual arts. His contribution to society, art, and sculpture was aligned with Unisa’s mission of serving humanity, while his contribution as an artist, sculptor, and lecturer also embodied Unisa’s mission of serving society by promoting the African perspective of respect, peace, and love. He was also worthy of the honorary doctorate as a result of the impact of his lifelong efforts in nurturing the talents of young and developing artists.
Mr Van Zyl Taylor’s works appeared in a wide range of locations, from public plazas and malls to private collections. He was commissioned to work for the Lange Voorhout Exhibition Museum aan Zee in Den Haag, Netherlands, which was opened by the then Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
He was a previous winner of the PPC Young Sculptors Award (1994) as well as a recipient of the Eduardo Villa Best Sculpture Student (1994). He was bestowed with an Alumni Laureate Award by the University of Pretoria (2005) and the prestigious Helgaard Steyn Award (2017) for his notable contribution to South African sculpture.
The honorary degree was conferred on Mr Van Zyl Taylor in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the field of visual arts. His contribution to society, art, and sculpture was aligned with Unisa’s mission of serving humanity, while his contribution as an artist, sculptor, and lecturer also embodied Unisa’s mission of serving society by promoting the African perspective of respect, peace, and love. He was also worthy of the honorary doctorate as a result of the impact of his lifelong efforts in nurturing the talents of young and developing artists.
Mr Van Zyl Taylor’s works appeared in a wide range of locations, from public plazas and malls to private collections. He was commissioned to work for the Lange Voorhout Exhibition Museum aan Zee in Den Haag, Netherlands, which was opened by the then Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
He was a previous winner of the PPC Young Sculptors Award (1994) as well as a recipient of the Eduardo Villa Best Sculpture Student (1994). He was bestowed with an Alumni Laureate Award by the University of Pretoria (2005) and the prestigious Helgaard Steyn Award (2017) for his notable contribution to South African sculpture.