Paint the town
IT has undergone a hue revolution. In February, 44 street artists descended on Salt River in Cape Town armed with tins of paint, spray cans, brushes and masks.
With tools of creativity in hand and transformation in mind, they deposited waves of colour onto the drab façades of factories, schools, parks, playgrounds, offices and homes, injecting fresh vibrancy into one of the oldest parts of the Mother City.
It all started five years ago when South African graffiti artist Mak1one met with entrepreneurs Sébastien Charrieras and Alexandre Tilmans, the founders of the NGO Baz-Art, to discuss ways to showcase outstanding South African street artists. It was time to nudge people beyond traditional galleries and draw attention to the masterpieces that exist outdoors for pedestrian pleasure in neighbourhoods all over town.
Their arty bosberaad led to the launch of the first International Public Art Festival, held over 10 days in February in Salt River. Once a major hub of the steel and textile industries, it is known these days as one of the most culturally diverse and religiously tolerant areas in the metropole.
With varying degrees of support from the city, the Department of Arts and Culture, the local improvement district and the Art Africa Fair at the V&A Waterfront, the festival kicked off.
Local and foreign artists including Mak1one, Clément Mougel from France, WiseTwo from Kenya and many others shimmied up ladders, scaffolding and cherry pickers, their imaginations manifesting as remarkable stamp portraits, stencilled imagery, calligraphy, poetry, line drawings and pique assiette mosaics.
Community engagement was stimulated through partnerships between residents, local cooks, small businesses and volunteers. Fundraising efforts supported training vide opportunities for tourism.”
One of the artists who took part, DFeat Once from Woodstock, said the experience was humbling.
“I really enjoyed the kids’ reactions and interactions, the good vibes and great community spirit. My work is inspired by people and I aim to uplift.”
Several of the artists reproduced aspects of their wall art on smaller