Mystery Ramsgate artist finally revealed

Dubbed Ramsgate’s very own Banksy – Gérard de Jong (48) – has stepped forward as the creative force behind the mysterious driftwood fishermen that appeared almost overnight on the rocks along the Ramsgate Ramble.

Originally from Pretoria and affectionately known as Solo – a nod to his solo travels – Gérard has been visiting Ramsgate for the past 30 years. A full-time plumber and handyman by trade, he is an artist at heart.

For the past 20 years, he has been creating unique art pieces, including a collection of fishermen figures thoughtfully placed along a hiking trail in a reserve in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.

When the Ramsgate figures – the driftwood fisherman and his dog – first appeared, Gérard chose to remain anonymous. Fearing he might get into trouble, he erected the driftwood men under the cover of night.

As word spread, photos of the striking sculptures circulated widely on social media, leaving the Ramsgate community and visitors who stumbled upon them amazed by the creativity and craftsmanship. One question kept surfacing: who is the artist?

“My son and I were bored one day, so we decided to do something with wood and made the fisherman. It really happened by accident. I never imagined it would create so much buzz or make the news,” he said with a chuckle.

Gérard also praised his son, Jean, for being the main creative mind behind the distinctive driftwood face of the fisherman erected on the beach.

The wooden men have withstood wind and rain thanks to thoughtful construction. They are cable-tied in a way that allows them to move naturally with the wind, while epoxy secures them firmly to the rocks.

It was Jean (19) who eventually encouraged his father to reveal his identity after months of community speculation about the mastermind behind the installations.

Gérard enjoys working with natural materials he finds along the beach, in the bush or in open fields – including skulls, feathers, leather and wood – transforming them into distinctive pieces that reflect his connection with nature.

He now plans to erect three more structures on the rocks between Ramsgate Beach and the current fisherman site between now and December – further cementing Ramsgate’s status as a unique coastal landmark.

Gérard is also planning a permanent move to Ramsgate and has already been invited to exhibit his work at a gallery in Glenmore in May. As part of the exhibition, he intends building a more detailed replica of the fishermen to add to the collection he will showcase.

And, he hints, there are a few more exciting surprises up his sleeve – so watch this space.

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