By Chalotte Mokonyane
Once again, artist Mook Lion is enriching the streets of Makhanda along with 36 first-year Fine Arts students from Rhodes University.
This year’s street art programme, held in New Street, was designed to introduce students to mural art by allowing them to work in a public space and gain hands-on experience in the creative process.
This year’s theme, Makhanda and Monsters, invited students to explore the concept of the “exquisite corpse”, with each participant contributing a distinct panel depicting a body part that then combined to create a cohesive figure. Four of the mural artists reflected on their experience.
Zimkhitha Bavuma
- What theme or message are you aiming to convey in your mural art and why is it important ?
What inspired my mural art is the unity found in Makhanda.
- What challenges do you face when working in an open space compared to the traditional setting?
People passing would just stand and watch you working and, being a shy person, I prefer working alone.
- A personal story related to your art that has left a lasting impact on you?
My parents passed away when I was young, so I grew up in a home here in Makhanda which was run by uGogo who would take in kids that have lost their parents and raise them as her own. Which makes my mural so special to me because of how she took all of us and combined us into one family.
Siyabonga Radebe
- What theme or message are you aiming to convey in your mural art and why is it important?
With our theme being monsters, I tried to convey a message by mixing the human and the donkey’s body. We pass homeless people on the streets as if we are donkeys. With the church, it’s representing the town being known as the city of saints which is ironic because of our acts towards others. It’s ‘Mayhem in Greyhem’.
- What challenges do you face when working in an open space compared to the traditional setting?
Working with someone else, since it’s a collaborating work. And it’s too spaced up for a claustrophobic person.
3. A personal story related to your art that has left a lasting impact on you?
Noticing how we humans are towards other human beings, I feel very guilty when I pass the homeless. But also get inspired to work hard and be able to help where I can in the future.
Masixole Nobopa
- What theme or message are you aiming to convey in your mural art and why is it important?
The tribal art allows me to connect to the Xhosa people of this area. “Stand of ten toes” is about standing your ground, and being genuine about who you are.
- What challenges do you face when working in an open space compared to the traditional setting?
It’s easier working in a studio space as you have more control of the environment than being outside. The sun is also uncomfortable and the medium is rougher than a canvas, which leads to improvising here and there making the whole process take a bit longer.
- A personal story related to your art that has left a lasting impact on you?
When I was 4/5 years old, I was playing on the sand outside when my mom saw I drew a Parmalat truck that used to pass by. My mom mistook it for something else and I got a beating.
Hannah Currin
- What theme or message are you aiming to convey in your mural art and why is it important?
I wanted to create a normal modern person but convey them in a mummified way. I see Makhanda as very old and vintage with all the buildings which is what made me think of mummies.
- What challenges do you face when working in an open space compared to the traditional setting?
The heat! It’s been very hot the last couple of days and sitting out in this hot sun isn’t the best.
- A personal story related to your art that has left a lasting impact on you?
It’s just me trying to be creative around the topic I was given. I don’t normally try doing realistic portraits. Which is a huge challenge for me because I want to also explore that side.
