Last weekend I did something I used to do all the time but haven’t done for ages: An art and graffiti walk through downtown Joburg. The walk was hosted by Goethe-Institut Südafrika and a group of Joburg graffiti artists, led by Dr. Foodz.
Dr. Foodz explains a large graffiti piece in Braamfontein — I have forgotten who all of the artists are but four of them are Mein, Zesta, Page33, and Breeze Yoko — near the Greyscale Gallery, where Dr. Foodz works.
It was great to get out and see some of beautiful new street art pieces that have gone up over the past few months, especially in Newtown, as well as lots of old graffiti that I still remember from years ago. I’ve blogged about graffiti many times before (see here and here and here) so this time I’ll just show you the pictures.
Graffiti and Public Art in Newtown
The new mural I was most excited to see: A portrait of legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba by Joburg artist Dbongz. The mural is on Miriam Makeba Street outside the Newtown Junction Mall. It’s glorious.
The Newtown Heads, by artist Americo Guambe, clustered around Mary Fitzgerald Square and scattered all over Newtown, are looking better than ever. I’m not sure who added the colorful geometric patterns to the heads’ bases but they’re so beautiful.
Another Dbongz original on one of the pillars under the M1 Highway, this one portraying Hugh Masekela. Both this portrait and the Miriam Makeba portrait are part of a series Dbongz recently did on famous South African musicians.
The Newtown pillars are an extremely popular photoshoot location.
More Newtown head and pillar magic.
Thorsten, who also came along on the walk, made several sketches under the Newtown pillars. This is my favorite.
Here he is making the sketch.
Another one of my favorite Newtown spots: The birdseed factory on Gwigwi Mrwebi Street.
Dr. Foodz looking impossibly cool in front of a piece by Myza.
The dead-end street just north of Gwigwi Mwrebi Street and south of Carr Street (I can’t remember the name and it’s not on Google Maps) is one of Joburg’s oldest and best graffiti streets. It brings back memories from my Instawalking days in the early 2010s, when I spent so much time in this area. Many of the same graffiti pieces from back then are still around.
A popular tagging spot.
Thorsten’s sketch of the same spot.
I think this particular Goethe-Institut tour was a once-off. But if you want to explore Newtown and surrounding areas on a walking or cycling tour, check out the offerings from JoburgPlaces, Eenblond Tours, Honest Travel, Joburg 360, and Microadventure Tours. Goethe also hosts lots of other interesting cultural events around the city.
Have a great weekend, people.
Graffiti piece by Bias. Chairs by Myza. Photo by Thorsten.Modeling by me.
Newtown, downtown, Braamfontein – where grit meets art 🙂 Lovely pics and sketches!
In addition to walking tours I have missed the times when there used to be meet ups at interesting coffee shops in those and other places. I’m pretty sure that is where you and I first met 🙂
Thorsten’s sketches are a great added dimension to your photos. I was fascinated by the one alongside your picture of the building in the Free State. For those who haven’t seen it:
Oh yes, I am off my game these days! I’ll change that. I hadn’t been down that street on a long time and it was nice to see the polar bear was still there.
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It did bring back memories of earlier graffiti walks. Great photos and love Thorsten’s sketches.
Thanks! And thanks for the invitation.
Seems more like art than graffiti. I wouldn’t mind some graffiti like that around Los Angeles!
Yeah, the line between graffiti and public art has become very blurry. Of course graffiti itself IS art 🙂
Newtown, downtown, Braamfontein – where grit meets art 🙂 Lovely pics and sketches!
In addition to walking tours I have missed the times when there used to be meet ups at interesting coffee shops in those and other places. I’m pretty sure that is where you and I first met 🙂
Yes, it was! At the coffee shop across from Meldene Clinic. I miss those days too.
Another interesting post. Thank you.
Thanks for reading!
Thorsten’s sketches are a great added dimension to your photos. I was fascinated by the one alongside your picture of the building in the Free State. For those who haven’t seen it:
https://430779ae203f.xneelosites.com/2021/04/06/back-to-bethulie-and-the-royal-hotel/
Ahhh, thank you. Thorsten will be so happy!
That last pic is not by me, it’s by spent (Marco) the one with the polar bear with the heart is by me ????
Oh yes, I am off my game these days! I’ll change that. I hadn’t been down that street on a long time and it was nice to see the polar bear was still there.