Travelling Painter: The Mamelodi Art Project

This project used the medium of painting to engage community members in a creative process to challenge myths and stereotypes about township life. Art was a tool for inviting community members to voice their ideas and opinions about certain issues central to black, economically disadvantaged South Africans. The billboard functioned as a “message-board” for community members, who were provided with an opportunity to be recognised and celebrated for their positive messages and artistic contribution. In this way, the programme sought to empower community members to use their voice productively and share their ideas collectively.

By painting a new image/message on the billboard every day, the painter offered community members multiple opportunities to voice their concerns, so that the programme was not restricted to a certain group of people, but open to the entire community. In this way, the painter hoped to compile and present a number of different ideas, and not be restricted to one central theme. In addition, the lack of permanency of the billboard provided an incentive for community members to express themselves freely, and not be shy about showcasing their artistic talents - since the painting would only be viewed for one day.

The design for the programme also helped to build an understanding of teamwork in the community, since members of the community had to work together each day to design a new painting. In this way, members had to negotiate and compromise their ideas to come up with one way of expressing their opinions for that day’s painting. The billboard also served as a tool for commenting on events that recently occurred in the township. For instance, when the painter was confronted at gunpoint one evening, the next day the community members decided to create a painting that advocated against the use of guns, and even invited the local police department to participate in its creation. The project thus aimed to provide a means for communication about prevalent issues that characterise township life in a manner that empowers participants by opening previously unavailable lines of communication.

Rights.

According to organisers, the project enabled community members to voice their ideas and opinions about issues such as racism, sexual abuse, and education in a creative manner, building teamwork skills amongst participants as well as communicating in a creative manner with fellow community members.