Artist in Focus: Graeme Bramley and the Craft of Old Coach Road
Tucked quietly into Greyton’s creative heart is Old Coach Road – the workshop and gallery space of Graeme Bramley, where craft, story, and design come together with a distinctly timeless feel. Inspired by a mountain road in Limpopo where he once lived, the name itself carries a sense of heritage and quiet charm.
“I lived along a road called Old Coach Road – once a wagon route – in a beautiful farming area,” Graeme explains. “It had this old-world authenticity that stayed with me. That feeling now runs through everything I create.”
With a background in mechanical engineering and industrial design, Graeme’s work sits at a compelling intersection of precision and imagination. From jewellery and lighting to furniture and sculpture, each piece reflects both technical mastery and creative intuition.
“For me, design is about bridging creativity with production,” he says. “Taking something from imagination through to a tangible piece that is both beautiful and manufacturable.”
A key strength in his practice is mould-making – a process he finds particularly energising. “There’s something incredibly satisfying about bringing a form to life through that method,” he adds.
Materials play a central role in shaping his work. Brass, with its warmth and character, forms the foundation of many pieces, often combined with silver and copper to create layered, expressive finishes. “Metals are versatile and forgiving,” Graeme notes. “They allow for constant refinement and evolution.”
Originally from Tzaneen, where he grew up on a macadamia and avocado farm, Graeme’s fascination with making began early. After studying Product Design in Pretoria, he co-founded a concrete design business in Johannesburg, working on high-end interiors. But over time, both the medium and the pace of city life began to feel limiting.
“Greyton just felt right,” he says. “After travelling around the country, I found a sense of home here – in the mountains and among the people.”
Today, Old Coach Road is largely a solo endeavour, with occasional support in the workshop. Alongside it sits the Gallery of Fine Things – a carefully curated space where other like-minded artists and makers can showcase their work.
Visitors stepping into Old Coach Road can expect more than just objects. “I hope people experience a sense of authentic craftsmanship,” Graeme says. “A feeling of passion and craft.”
Looking ahead, his vision is to expand his range into furniture, build an online presence, and continue creating beautiful, lasting pieces – all from a small, inspired corner of Greyton.
