Public Art at CUT: The Story of "Leonard Thuto"
Standing as a proud sentinel at the entrance of the Bloemfontein Campus, the 2-ton sculpture known as Leonard Thuto is more than just a landmark. It is a powerful symbol of human potential, movement, and the transformative power of education.
Leonard Thuto
The Artist's Vision
"I have taken Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man—he of the perfect proportions with 4 arms and 4 legs—and reverse-engineered him back to a man with 2 legs and two arms. Not only is he now free to move, but has also liberated his soul. I think institutions of learning can achieve this."
— Uwe Pfaff, Artist
The Purpose of Public Art at CUT
The purpose of this artwork, and the broader public art collection at CUT, is to create a world-class campus environment. It is designed to enhance campus culture, promote institutional pride, and introduce vibrant colour and thought-provoking dialogue to our daily surroundings.
A Curated Selection
CUT’s public art collection was not chosen at random. Each piece was carefully selected by a panel of experts representing the institution, alongside external art and cultural specialists, through a transparent and open process to ensure the highest quality and relevance to our community.
Background and History
Installation Timeline
- 17 February 2014: The 2-ton sculpture, Leonard Thuto, safely arrived on the Bloemfontein Campus.
- 21 February 2014: Leonard was officially installed and unveiled to the campus community at 14:00.
Strategic Alignment
The concept of placing this artwork on campus was deeply influenced by Vision 2020, specifically the first of the 4Ps: People. The sculpture serves as a permanent reminder that at the heart of all technological and academic advancement at CUT, it is the people—liberated, empowered, and moving forward—who drive our success.
