WeeklySA_AdminEXPRESSIONS:A group of artists join hands to awaken locals’ spirits through art
By Boitumelo Tshehle
They beautify the streets of Mahikeng while trying to make a living at the same. Their artwork has grabbed the attention of residents who are now showing interest in the street wall murals crafted these young artists.
Through the artfulness of the artists, a dull stretch like Mahikeng’s Sekame Road is no longer an eye-sore but a bright, breezy colourful thoroughfare – thanks to the freshly painted wall mural next to the local Montshioa Library, which has been turned into an attractive tourism attraction through the artists’ collage of paintings.
Local artist Gert Tsatsimpe said he became part of the mural festival project because the wall gives artists an opportunity to express themselves.
“People don’t have to go to art galleries to see your work, you can just walk in the street and see it. We advertise ourselves and have been getting quite a lot of jobs to sustain ourselves,” he said.
To him, art in simple terms changes the world. “It changes everything, it also changes people’s lives.
I was staying at home getting small jobs, but here I get more jobs,” he said.
Next to his work is Dintle Mabile’s graffiti. The 19-year-old law student said she was inspired from an early age. Her artwork teaches people that meaningful silence is better than meaningless words.
“I get comments as to how good my artwork is, and its fulfilling. I told myself I’m going to make a living out of it,” she said.
For 26-year-old Legorama Kathanga, the street art was his first experience. “I have never done murals before; I usually paint on clothes and boards. For me it was like I paint on a different surface,” he said
His work represents a series of a spiritual journey. “The concept is a person who lives in a world that he feels trapped in. My hope is to awaken people’s spirit and make them remember who they are. It’s sort of a book that helps you discover who you are,” he said.
Project manager Odirile Majatladi said he started the mural street festival with 28 artists after realising that there was nothing been done in the community to support artists.
“People are not used to artwork in public spaces. They perceive art just as art galleries. We want to take art to the people while we are beautifying our town,” he said. He believes Mahikeng has talent that needs to be exposed.
