Animals

In this dynamic sculpture, Kurt Lossgott captures the precise instant before impact — a horse in flight, descending. The hind legs are raised, the tail flares upward, and the mouth opens, not in fear, but in what could be read as breathless effort. The head is slightly tilted, and the weight is aimed toward the two front legs, just about to meet the ground. Unlike the frozen velocity of racing horses or the clash of buffaloes, In Full Flight emphasises motion and suspension, the moment between energy and impact. The horse is wild, alone, untethered, mid-air — evoking freedom, risk, and grace all at once. This piece reflects Kurt's lifelong fascination with horses — not only as animals, but as embodiments of spirit in motion.

Afrikaner Bull stands as a robust homage to South African cattle heritage. Measuring 29 cm high and 43 cm long, this bull is cast in patinated bronze, capturing the thick neck and sturdy frame of the breed. Lossgott's modelling balances realism with expressive surface work — muscular ridges and furrowed hide converge in silent strength. The form stands calmly, head lowered slightly, embodying quiet authority and rural dignity.

Brahman Bull, at 29 cm high and 40 cm wide, is cast in resin with a bronze patina and mounted on a wooden base. The sculpture foregrounds the breed's distinctive hump and dewlap through textured modelling that suggests both heat and muscle. Lossgott's attention to anatomical detail is tempered by surface abstraction — rippled forms that catch light like heat waves over earth. As a commissioned livestock study, it reflects rural rhythms and the sculptor's respect for working creatures, balancing naturalism with an almost spiritual presence.

The Sable Antelope stands alert with curved horns and coiled posture, cast in patinated bronze. At approximately 60 cm high, its slender legs and sleek body convey both grace and latent power. The textured surface — muscular striations along the neck and flanks — evokes the ripple of readiness. Mounted on a simple timber base, the antelope becomes a sentinel of the wild, embodying Lossgott's fascination with animal poise and metaphysical tension between stillness and motion.

Hereford Senior depicts a mature bull at 24 cm high and 46 cm long, cast in bronze with a subdued patina. Its head tilts forward, shoulders squared, and steps measured — a portrait of calm dominance earned through time. Lossgott's early training as a fitter and turner is evident in the precise, blocky forms. The bull's weight rests on strong legs, embodying authority without haste. It reflects the rhythms of farm life and the artist's research and respect for livestock as embodiments of enduring strength.

This sculpture — once titled The Leader — captures a male baboon's nonchalant stride. Cast in solid bronze, the figure moves on all fours with elongated limbs, tail lifted high, and a slight grin at its snout. The modelling is less about hair and more about attitude: sweeping planes denote muscle, while undercuts hint at fur. Lossgott conveys cocky authority without aggression. The artist spent countless hours at the zoo and in nature reserves before completing this sculpture. The baboon is both sentinel and sovereign, embodying relaxed confidence. It stands as an animal study that doubles as a psychological portrait.

Dorper Ram, at 30 cm high, is cast in bronze with a matte patina. The head tilts slightly, horns spiralled with carved precision. Lossgott emphasises texture — craggy fur and horn ridges — invoking rural heritage. The ram's alert gaze and poised stance recall his other livestock studies, completing the artist's exploration of domesticated strength.

Merino Ram measures 28 cm high by 35 cm long, rendered in solid bronze with a soft patina. The body's fleece is suggested through small surface dimples, contrasting with smooth, coiled horns. Lossgott's modelling balances abstraction and detail, capturing both texture and form. The sculpture celebrates pastoral life, reflecting the artist's respect for animal continuity and craft.

Merino Ewe stands 26 cm high, cast in the same bronze finish as its ram counterpart. The head tilts inquisitively, and the form flows in soft curves. Smooth surfaces blend into subtle muscle and wool textures, evoking maternal calm. Lossgott's design balances empathy with structural clarity, completing the pastoral pair with quiet grace.

Bear stands at 32 cm high, cast in bronze. Its muscle masses — shoulders, haunches, neck — are emphasised through robust modelling. The head thrusts forward, eyes set beneath furrowed brows. Lossgott captures both raw power and contemplative pause, presenting the bear as a symbol of wild strength and introspection.

Donkey, at 30 cm high, is cast in amalgam bronze (resin). Its long ears stand akimbo, eyes wide, the open mouth braying. Hungry ribs are visible in a skeletal frame. This prototype figure also forms part of the Four Musicians of Bremen gang, a story about survival through community.

Galloping Horse is a 62 cm tall resin sculpture capturing a horse in full gallop — lifting one hoof off the ground. The body arches with momentum; mane and tail flow backward. Lossgott's surface work — deep incisions and smooth planes — conveys muscle tension and wind. The original was privately named “Celia,” a tribute to the artist's wife.

Four Musicians of Bremen stacks figures of rooster, cat, dog, and donkey — cast in bronze-resin composite — to evoke the Brothers Grimm tale. Inspired by Lossgott's displacement from the Sudetenland and immigrant community found in Germany and South Africa, the piece celebrates companionship among wanderers. Each stylised animal holds an instrument, their forms entwined in a harmonious tower. The sculpture underscores creativity born of adversity and the bonds formed through shared art. In whimsical yet poignant fashion, it reflects the spirit of solidarity among immigrants.