Charon Ferryman by Jos Steenkamp (SA1957)

Description

Charon Ferryman, a unique and arresting bronze sculpture by Jos Steenkamp , created in 2021, offers a profound reinterpretation of the classical mythological figure. Standing 40.5 cm tall and weighing 9.3 kg, the piece possesses a compelling gravitas. The bronze is likely finished with a dark, contemplative patina, possibly with subtle weathering effects or highlights that pick out the aged wisdom in Charon’s sharply defined features, his deep set eyes, and the flowing lines of his iconic hood and cloak. This treatment would underscore the solemnity and ancient nature of his eternal task. The sculpture captures Charon not as a grim reaper, but as a pivotal figure in the soul’s journey, embodying transition and the cyclical nature of existence. According to the artist, “The Charon Ferryman Sculpture symbolizes the end of the journey of Spirit in this manifested state. Charon transports the human form to the Source, Origin & the possibility of re, invention; a new journey in the cycle of Life through its Proteus Primeval shape, shifting manifestations. This perspective transforms the ferryman into a facilitator of change and renewal, a guide at the threshold between one state of being and the next, hinting at the continuous evolution of Spirit.

This complex and thought provoking artwork is sculpted by Jos Steenkamp (SA 1957), whose artistic vision is deeply interwoven with his identity as Dr Jo Steenkamp, a highly respected Clinical Psychologist in Pretoria. With a doctorate in Psychology obtained in 1991, Dr Steenkamp is celebrated as the originator of SHIP® (Spontaneous Healing Intra, systemic Process), a psychotherapeutic method born from nearly four decades of pioneering work. His career has been dedicated to the spontaneous healing of trauma and the intricate psycho-biological regulation of internal dis- ease, culminating in the establishment of The SHIP® Foundation in 2001, which he continues to lead. Dr Steenkamp is also a prolific author and an influential speaker. His return to sculpting in 2021, after a 22 year hiatus devoted to the development of SHIP®, was a deeply significant “coming home,” allowing him to fuse his rich understanding of the human psyche, its trials and transformations, with the immediate, tactile language of sculpture, a passion ignited in his youth.

Charon Ferryman, serves as a powerful metaphor for the transformative processes inherent in both life’s ultimate transitions and the profound psychological shifts that Dr Steenkamp addresses in his clinical practice. The journey with Charon, as envisioned by the artist, to the Source, Origin and the possibility of reinvention, resonates deeply with the therapeutic process of SHIP®. This method often involves guiding individuals through the ‘underworlds’ of their traumatic experiences, not to dwell in darkness, but to emerge, transformed and reconnected to their core vitality and potential for new beginnings. The concept of Spirit in this manifested state ending its journey, only to embark on a new journey in the cycle of Life through its Proteus Primeval shape shifting manifestations, parallels the idea of psychic death and rebirth, letting go of old, traumatised aspects of the self to allow for the emergence of a more integrated and authentic being. Jos Steenkamp, the artist, views his sculptures as “vessels of relational energy” that spring from an “intuitive interplay of the conscious and unconscious.”

Charon Ferryman embodies this perfectly, inviting the viewer into a dialogue about life’s profound thresholds, the nature of endings and beginnings, and the inherent capacity for renewal. It reflects the artist’s life work focused on transformation, encouraging a deeper contemplation of the cycles of existence and the ever present potential for the human spirit to reshape itself and continue its voyage.

Artist: Jos Steenkamp (SA1957)