About the Artwork
 Soul Mates by South African artist James Cook is a bronze sculpture that draws on ancient mythology to explore the universal human longing for connection. Inspired by the Greek myth that humans were once whole beings with two faces, four arms, and four legs, the work captures the moment after their divine separation. According to the story, Zeus split them in half out of fear, condemning humanity to a lifelong search for its missing soul. Cook channels this narrative into two beautifully sculpted profiles—one male, one female—emerging from a single fractured form. Their expressions are calm but distant, hinting at the quiet ache of being incomplete.
Originally conceived as a digital sculpture, Soul Mates took on a life of its own when Cook turned the faces into masks and gave them to real-life travellers to carry across the globe. In doing so, the artwork physically mirrored the myth, with each half wandering the world in search of the other. The final hand-sculpted bronze version captures this poetic journey. Its fragmented form suggests both loss and the enduring hope of reunion. It is a striking addition to any collection of contemporary South African sculpture, combining mythology, modern craftsmanship, and timeless emotion in a single, elegant piece.
Medium: Bronze
Limited Edition of 15
