This May, artist Chip Snaddon has added a delightful, new larger-than-life public artwork to the Deep South landscape. A Cape Clawless Otter now joins a growing collection of land art by the Kommetjie artist, inspired by our local fauna.

Unveiled this week in the Lower Silvermine Wetlands, the sculpture was commissioned by Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (FOSNA) who look after the wetlands area, removing alien vegetation, keeping it safe and secure and establishing walkways for the public to enjoy. The Cape Clawless Otter was chosen for this piece of land art because it occurs naturally in those wetlands.

Creating a talking point and a reason to visit the area, the artwork encourages people to be invested in, and connected with, their local, semi-wild space, says Chip Snaddon, one of our local artists who is also part of Open Studios Kommetjie.

Often seen in Kommetjie, the Cape Clawless Otter was also chosen for its symbolism – joy, playfulness and resilience – said FOSNA committee member Martin Scholtz, adding that its presence is a reminder of the community’s role in caring for the fragile wetland ecosystem.

Chip built the sculpture from scratch completely on-site out of alien vegetation (like a number of his other recent public artworks in Kommetjie and Cape Point), taking over a month to build in the wetland area. Approximately three times the size of a living otter, the sculpture anchors deep into the ground with rebar, to secure it to the site.

“One of the great things public art can do is give a community more of a connection with a wild spot, other than walking their dogs or enjoying the fresh air,” says Chip.

You can visit the Cape Clawless Otter here.

More public artworks by Chip Snaddon

Baboon at Cape Point Farm Stall

Further south, another local icon and familiar face around the Cape Peninsula – the Chacma baboon – has also been a source of inspiration for artist Chip Snaddon. Also recently completed, the baboon sculpture stands sentry at the entrance to the Cape Point Farm Stall.

Sandfish in the Sky – from AfrikaBurn to Kommetjie Festival and the local library

First launched in the Tankwa Karoo desert at AfrikaBurn last year, Chip’s Clanwilliam Sandfish have made local appearances at both Kommetjie Festival and Open Studios Kommetjie 2024, as well as outside Kommetjie Library.

Translucent and delicate, made from sisal stems, split cane and voile fabric, the school of fish puppets swim gracefully through the air, energised by wind and golden light. The Sandfish in the Sky aim to raise awareness about the endangered Clanwilliam Sandfish, a migratory species unique to the Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg Mountains, and a poignant ambassador for healthy, free-flowing rivers in South Africa.

Elephant mural on the old water tower

In Kommetjie village, there’s a decidedly elephant-shaped water tower in Skilpadvlei just below Kommetjie Road. Chip credits a friend, Ty Cooper, for noticing this quirky zoomorphism, inspiring Chip to paint a beautiful, lifelike mural on the building, around 2023. Passersby would be forgiven for thinking there’s a solitary elephant casually grazing in our vlei.

Oystercatcher in Skilpadvlei

Just further afield in Skilpadvlei – a hop, skip and a jump beyond the elephant – another larger-than-life sculpture made from alien vegetation sits beyond the walkway. Created during Open Studios Kommetjie 2023, the African Black Oystercatcher sculpture – with characteristic red eye and beak – can still be seen roosting in the vlei, and may be due for an update soon, says Chip.

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Kelp Forest in Kommetjie Primary

Commissioned by a group of grade 7 parents in 2020, Kommetjie Primary is home to an imaginary kelp forest scene somewhere on the Peninsula. A diving otter, a floating octopus and a Red Roman fish swim amidst kelp in an underwater tableau, beautifully painted by Chip on a low wall on the edge of the swimming pool.

Wandering Albatross in Komsurf

Next time you visit our local surf shop in the village, look up… you might just spot a Wandering Albatross!

Follow the White Rabbit…

Visible from Slangkop Mountain and parts of Kommetjie Road overlooking old Kom, you might have noticed a white rabbit on a roof. It’s a tribute to the White Rabbit beer by Shipwreck Brewery (made by another Kommetjie local, Paul Mowat), whose branding and caricature illustrations were all drawn by Chip – just like the one on his own roof. Pop into The Green Room, Kommetjie to discover more of those!