To pay homage to Capetonian culture and food, a large mural created by a team of artists that features a Gatsby was recently unveiled in Athlone. The work of art is one of four murals that were recently completed in the suburb as part of an effort by the City to uplift local communities.
The murals were painted on the walls of City-owned flats located in Kannabast and Standroos Close in Kewton. The project is headed by the City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Branch
Executive Mayor of Cape Town Dan plato comments on the positive role the murals will hopefully play in the suburb, saying, “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.”
Each mural was a work by both professional and emerging artists of Cape Town, and Plato says he hopes the project will also serve as a platform for local artistic talent.
“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.”
The works of art were revealed on Thursday by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Zahid Badroodien.
Badroodien comments on the impact public art can have on a community.
“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,” he says.
Professional artists involved in project included Eugene Bezuidenhout, Roscoe Masters, Grant Jurius, and part-time art teacher at Zonnebloem Children’s Arts Centre Gary Frier. Emerging artists who lent their creative hand to the murals were Lance Coetzee, Royden Croy , Landen Davids, Matthew de Lange, Julian Wagner, and Kyle Murphy.
Each mural brings together four themes that symbolise the anti-apartheid struggle and the value of the people of Cape Town, depicting iconic faces, sporting traditions, local cuisine, and the arts and culture of the area.
Badroodien hopes that the project will uplift the local community and increase skill development in the area.
“We will prioritise storytelling through murals by commissioning local artists; involving community participation including consultation and collaboration; as well as promoting skills transfer and development for community-based artists and emerging artists in communities.”
The project will continue to be implemented at public housing facilities in four areas of Cape Town this year.
Picture: Supplied/ City of Cape Town, an art mural showcasing a giant Gatsby as the focus image