The Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria is pleased to announce the arrival of Italian artist Egle Oddo in South Africa as part of the Soil and Water project, a collaboration between the Nirox Foundation and the School of the Arts – University of Pretoria.
Egle Oddo is a multidisciplinary artist whose work weaves together environmental art, photography, installation, sculpture, and performative practices. Her research focuses on “operational realism” and poetic narrative systems, bridging the natural world and scientific knowledge through symbolic and imaginative storytelling. Her work has been featured at major biennials and institutions worldwide, and is part of several public collections.
During her artistic residency in South Africa, Oddo will explore the soil and biotopes along the Blaauwbankspruit River, particularly in the area of Kromdraai and within the Nirox Sculpture Park. The artist aims to establish a dialogue with local scientists and ecological researchers to incorporate their insights into an aesthetic and poetic discourse—fostering awareness about the environment and its fragile ecosystems.
Her residency is part of the larger collective exhibition Soil and Water, opening on November 3rd, 2025, and running through April 2026, with additional events continuing beyond that date. The outcome of Oddo’s research may lead to the creation of a permanent site-specific public artwork at Nirox Sculpture Park.
Through this initiative, the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria reaffirms its commitment to promoting contemporary Italian art and fostering intercultural dialogue in South Africa.