Brightening up Kewtown’s dreary walls
A PROJECT to liven up the bland walls of council-owned flats across the city has brought some colour to Kewtown in Athlone.
Four big murals were painted on the walls of flats in Kannabast and Strandroos, Kewtown.
“With these murals, the City hopes to demonstrate the ways in which art can contribute towards transformation in vulnerable communities; establish a positive and stronger neighbourhood identity; and make art more accessible to everyone and thereby improve our public facilities and spaces,” the City said in a statement.
“Around the world, one can see the growth and value that street art can bring to a community and I would like to see some international street artists visit Cape Town in the near future so that we can draw the attention of tourists, and then share with them the many beautiful public murals that our local artists have done in our city,” said mayor, Dan Plato.
Artists who shared their creative flair were Eugene Bezuidenhout, from Wynberg, Roscoe Masters and Grant Jurius, from Diep River and Elsies River respectively, and part-time art teacher Gary Frier, from Kuils River.
Local emerging artists who took part in the project were Lance Coetzee, Royden Croy, Landen Davids, Matthew de Lange, Julian Wagner and Kyle Murphy.
“Public art has become an important focus and brings cultural, social and economic value to neighbourhoods. It reflects our society and can enrich communities. As a creative City, we are committed to enabling all forms of public art, as well as nurturing and promoting local artists. Mural projects can play an important role in the city, because they assist in transforming spaces and communities, and make a contribution to social and economic development,” said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for community services and health, councillor Zahid Badroodien.
There are four themes that will reflect the rich culture and heritage of the Athlone area. These will pay tribute to the anti-apartheid Struggle; the various sporting traditions of the area; a celebration of the local cuisine; and the arts and culture history of the area, especially in terms of music and theatre. |