Samurai Farai
“Masks Of Modernity”
XXXXX
Date 2025
Date 2025
Artists Vision
Samurai Farai (Farai Engelbrecht), a long-term Crayon Artel collaborator, set out to present Masks of Modernity — his first solo show and an exploration of the multiplicity of modern African identity.
Through more than 100 works across paint, print, ceramic, stone, and sculpture, Farai sought to collapse the boundaries between mediums and create an inclusive art experience that transcends elitism. His ‘masks’ represent the layered personas of contemporary life - a dialogue between tradition, technology, and self-reinvention.
Through more than 100 works across paint, print, ceramic, stone, and sculpture, Farai sought to collapse the boundaries between mediums and create an inclusive art experience that transcends elitism. His ‘masks’ represent the layered personas of contemporary life - a dialogue between tradition, technology, and self-reinvention.
Our Solution
We produced more than 40 sculptural pieces, ranging from 3D printed miniatures to hand-carved stone works and ceramic busts. Each sculpture began as a 3D render - a crucial step in refining proportion, scale, and mood before production.
Once Farai approved the digital mock-ups, we moved into physical fabrication: printing, casting, carving, and finishing. Some of the pieces were then hand-painted by Farai, fusing our technical precision with his expressive energy.
An extension of the show later travelled to Cape Town, where Crayon Artel translated one of Farai’s digital paintings into a hand-tufted tapestry through our network of rug weavers.
Once Farai approved the digital mock-ups, we moved into physical fabrication: printing, casting, carving, and finishing. Some of the pieces were then hand-painted by Farai, fusing our technical precision with his expressive energy.
An extension of the show later travelled to Cape Town, where Crayon Artel translated one of Farai’s digital paintings into a hand-tufted tapestry through our network of rug weavers.
Technical Specs
Material: 3D printed PLA | Wonderstone | Sandstone | Ceramic | Wool
Country of Origin: South Africa | India
Size: Varied (from 20cm sculptures to 50cm carved busts, 2m-long tapestry)
Weight: Approx. 85 kg
Technique: Digital modeling, 3D printing, casting, stone carving, hand painting, hand-tufting
Country of Origin: South Africa | India
Size: Varied (from 20cm sculptures to 50cm carved busts, 2m-long tapestry)
Weight: Approx. 85 kg
Technique: Digital modeling, 3D printing, casting, stone carving, hand painting, hand-tufting
Design & Development Process
The collaboration began with digital concept renderings, allowing Farai to visualize his sculptural ideas in 3D space. Using moodboards, reference forms, and feedback sessions, Crayon Artel refined the digital files to match Farai’s evolving vision.
Once approved, our team initiated fabrication workflows: printing and post-processing, coordinating stone carving, and producing ceramic molds. Each process was tracked and quality-checked to ensure fidelity to Farai’s design language.
Once approved, our team initiated fabrication workflows: printing and post-processing, coordinating stone carving, and producing ceramic molds. Each process was tracked and quality-checked to ensure fidelity to Farai’s design language.
Production & Install
Crayon Artel oversaw the fabrication and delivery of over 40 unique sculptures for the Johannesburg exhibition.
Our logistics and installation teams coordinated packing, transport, and white-glove placement in the gallery. For the Cape Town extension, we managed rug prototyping, weaving, finishing, and shipping of the hand-tufted tapestry.
Our logistics and installation teams coordinated packing, transport, and white-glove placement in the gallery. For the Cape Town extension, we managed rug prototyping, weaving, finishing, and shipping of the hand-tufted tapestry.