By Maboneng Precinct
GRIND - Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg
Welcome to Maboneng
The Maboneng Precinct is a creative, vibrant neighbourhood located on the East side of Johannesburg’s inner-city, in South Africa. Maboneng is a Sesotho word that means “place of light”. In a still economically fragmented and racially divided Johannesburg, Maboneng is an innovative urban environment that encourage diversity in terms of uses, races, income, ages. It is also now one of the most renowned creative districts in the world.
Arts on Main (2009)Maboneng Precinct
Arts on Main was the first building to be redeveloped in the Maboneng Precinct by the company Propertuity, in 2009. It is now a creative hub that hosts artist galleries, creative studios, residential loft units, retail spaces and a weekly food and design market.
I am Because We Are + Tiger (2014) by Sonny and Freddy SamMaboneng Precinct
The Maboneng Precinct now counts more than 15 mixed-use buildings redeveloped by Propertuity, and more than 50 street art pieces across the neighbourhood.
Remed's View (2012) by Remed for I Art JoburgMaboneng Precinct
Remeds View (2012) by RemedMaboneng Precinct
Remeds View (2012)Maboneng Precinct
Remed's View (2012) by RemedMaboneng Precinct
Steve ESPO Powers
NY street-artist and Fulbright scholar Steve ESPO Powers is internationally renowned for his unique typographic style and statements. In Johannesburg, he chose to celebrate "Mama Afrika", and motivate the city and its residents to "Stay Up".
Cameron Platter
South African artist Cameron Platter fills the ordinary and marginal with incendiary new meaning. Working from everyday experience with subjects overlooked or considered delinquent, sordid and lowbrow, he sheds light on notions and concepts on the outside fringes of South Africa’s popular culture.
I am Because We Are - Part 1 (2013) by Freddy SamMaboneng Precinct
Freddy Sam
Freddy Sam is a South African artist aiming at exploring surrounding spaces and communities by using public art as a tool to communicate and connect with people. "I am Because We Are", parts 1 and 2, explore South African symbols as Nelson Mandela and the Springbok.
I am Because We Are - Part 2 (2014) by Freddy SamMaboneng Precinct
¨The Springbok represents us as a nation and the river reflects ourselves and our community. Now that Mandela has passed, we are looking into our reflection and assessing our Ubuntu in the past, present and future¨, Freddy Sam.
WWF Earth Hour (2013) by Freddy SamMaboneng Precinct
Leaping Leopard (2014) by SonnyMaboneng Precinct
Unleashed Tiger (2014) by SonnyMaboneng Precinct
Creature by DalEAST and 2013Maboneng Precinct
Creature (2012) by DALeastMaboneng Precinct
Superblast
“The Gate” mural by Berlin-based artist Superblast is situated just under one of Johannesburg's highways, which reminds the artist of a “snake of concrete and cars that run through the city and gives it its heartbeat'. The artwork is installed on the Maboneng Northern gateway. In mythology, gateways represent renaissance, renewal, and a transition to another life. The serpent symbolises the alterity, the fear of the unknown. For Superblast, “On a more local scale, the snake represents the struggle that the city and the country has gone through. In African mythology the serpent is also seen as the birth-giving creator of the world. Hence this piece symbolizes the rebirth of the neighbourhood”.
The Gate (2014) by SuperblastMaboneng Precinct
The Gate (2014) by SuperblastMaboneng Precinct
Now and Then by KNOW HOPE (Tel Aviv), Gaia (NY), Franco JAZ Fasoli (Buenos Aires), Freddy Sam (SA)Maboneng Precinct
Now and Then (2012) by KNOW HOPE (Tel Aviv), Gaia (NY), Franco JAZ Fasoli (Buenos Aires), Freddy Sam (SA) and Acrylic WallsMaboneng Precinct
Nelson Makamo
Nelson Makamo is a prolific South African artist, famous for his portraits, often using a mix of bright colours on a dark background. The street-lenght artwork on Van Beek Street, Maboneng, displays children going about their everyday life, captured by the artist in their movements and emotions.
People (2014) by Nelson MakamoMaboneng Precinct
People (2014) by Nelson MakamoMaboneng Precinct
People (2014) by Nelson MakamoMaboneng Precinct
People (2014) by Nelson MakamoMaboneng Precinct
Acrylic Walls Collective - "Jan Van Riebeeck"
NY street artist Gaia and South African artist Freddy Sam co-created this portait of Dutch colonial Jan Van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town. The pattern work inspired by both nature and technology is an interesting reference to the country's past and modernity.
Ralph ZIMAN
Artist, photographer and film director Ralph Ziman explores the duality of terror and worship that firearms hold in African culture. The mural, based on Ziman's photographs of vendors posing with their crafted prop AK 47, aims at bringing awareness on the international arms trade that profits on the suffering and oppression of millions of Africans.
Hannelie Coetzee
South-African artist and Maboneng-based Hannelie Coetzee used fine mosaic to portrait "Ouma Miemie and Tant Vya", who are the artist's aunt and grandmother. The art piece is based on a photograph of these ladies taken in the 1940s on the same street of the artwork (Commissioner Street).
Dream Climber (2012) by Hannelie CoetzeeMaboneng Precinct
Before I Die (2012) by Inspired by Candy ChangMaboneng Precinct
Before I die (2012) by Inspired by Candy ChangMaboneng Precinct
Maboneng Letters (2012) by PropertuityMaboneng Precinct
Remote Words
The "Remote Words" installation was curated in 2009 by Indra Wussow, in a collaboration with Niq Mhlongo. It gave the Maboneng Precinct its name.
Night View Maboneng PrecinctMaboneng Precinct
Street Art constantly changes the face of the Maboneng Precinct. Come visit us and discover the latest street masterpieces of the area.
www.mabonengprecinct.com
Pictures :
Martha Cooper (I Art Joburg)
Bram Lammers
Roger Jardine
Alice Cabaret
Exhibition curator :
Alice Cabaret
For more information :
www.mabonenprecinct.com
www.propertuity.co.za
www.grindcities.com