South Africa: Lines of attitude - Crossing continents with street art
Lines of Attitude spans geographical latitudes in its exploration of media and human rights issues through the work of leading graffiti artists from South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom. The project partners the British Council with leading South African graffiti artists Faith 47 and Falko, bringing them collaboratively together with legendary UK graffiti artists Dreph and Mode2, as well as Kenya's Phiks. Through murals, workshops, publications and an exhibition, Lines of Attitude embraces the positive, professional side of this popular street art form, offering an alternative viewpoint to the singular perception of graffiti as vandalism. Embracing the particular resonance of graffiti in contemporary urban youth culture, the project engages young people in an exciting, active dialogue around freedom of expression, whilst also aiming to leave a permanent line of "can do" attitude on the public landscape. For details about the exhibition see below. Pambazuka News had the opportunity to interview Phiks, an artist from Kenya.
Pambazuka News: Can you tell us about what you are doing here in Cape Town? What is the project you are involved in?
Phiks: The project called "Lines of Attitude" involved coming to Cape Town as part of the project. We (artists I work with) painted a wall in Kenya last November and we just finished painting a wall here in Cape Town. The upcoming exhibit "Lines of Attitude" is also a part of the project, and all the artists have contributed pieces to it. This is a project which has got graffiti artist from different countries working together on the following theme: "How Western media affects culture." We came up with this theme in Kenya and started working on it last year. The aim of the project is to try and give graffiti a positive attitude towards the masses.
Pambazuka News: What is the connection for you between art and social change? How can the medium of graffiti be used to raise awareness or inspire action?
Phiks: My personal connection between art and social change is a love for art. Art is what I eat and most of my inspiration comes from things that happen around me, as well as the people around me. The media of graffiti can be used to raise awareness or inspire action, not only in big time events like the exhibit. You have to keep in mind what you do on a small scale level because people out there are watching everything I do. I try to keep it real for the young and old people – so I try to keep positive to promote art.
Pambazuka News: Can you describe the "matatu" culture in Kenya? What is its significance?
Phiks: Matatu culture is a big thing in Kenya. Matatu’s are not only a form of transportation, but since the 80's have been made into a form of art. There is a lot of competition because it is a source of income for Matatu owners. I do air brushing and other work on these. The significance of them is that this is the kind of grafitti I do in Kenya – this is where I come from.
Pambazuka News: What is the art scene in Kenya like? Is there a strong connection there between art and political criticism?
Phiks: The art scene in Kenya is really catching up to other places. At my level, it's great – there is also a really strong connection between the art and political criticism.
Pambazuka News: What is the government response to what you do? What about the general public?
Phiks: I would say that no, the government at the moment doesn't like what I do. They are trying to stop Matatu art because some Members of Parliament in Kenya are also in the Matatu business and they want to cut down the competition by putting up laws against us.
The general public, on the other hand, loves it! The population is made up of lots of young people under the age of 35. But it's hard – you can't mess with the government in Kenya unless you have power – which means money or good connections.
Exhibition Details:
Exhibiting artists:
(UK) mode2, dreph;
(Kenya) phiks;
(SA) falko, faith47
Opening on 16 March. Running until 06 April, District 6 Homecoming Centre 15 Buitenkant St. Cape Town.
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