The Art That Is Graffiti - Unbranded Truth Online Magazine

3/25/12 The art that is graffiti ‹ Unbranded Truth

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The art that is graffiti

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Street art has become challenging for Cape Town artists because of the new graffiti bylaw. This is the first and the only graffiti bylaw in South Africa. I spoke to twoStreet art has become challenging for Cape Town artists because of the new graffiti bylaw. This is the first and the only graffiti bylaw in South Africa. I spoke to two

artists who are not stopped by this and found out what keeps them going and motivated.artists who are not stopped by this and found out what keeps them going and motivated.

Nard – Graffiti Artist, 26 years old, female.Nard – Graffiti Artist, 26 years old, female.

Nard the beautifully demure artist is from Rondebosch, Cape Town, she started graffiti at the age of 18. Nard has always had an avid interest in art even though sheNard the beautifully demure artist is from Rondebosch, Cape Town, she started graffiti at the age of 18. Nard has always had an avid interest in art even though she

did not take any art lessons at school. She remembers sketching on paper since the age of eight. When she first started she was not that serious until three yearsdid not take any art lessons at school. She remembers sketching on paper since the age of eight. When she first started she was not that serious until three years

ago when she decided to go professional and become more committed to bettering her skills. Nard studied Graphic Design at Cape Peninsula University ofago when she decided to go professional and become more committed to bettering her skills. Nard studied Graphic Design at Cape Peninsula University of

Technology, which she feels has some kind of influence over her work.Technology, which she feels has some kind of influence over her work.

She works for herself and she markets herself by networking and collaborating with other artists like Falko. Nard’s biggest and favourite work to date is ‘The DarlingShe works for herself and she markets herself by networking and collaborating with other artists like Falko. Nard’s biggest and favourite work to date is ‘The Darling

Made Me Do It’ a splitpiece that she made in collaboration with Falko sponsored by Sportscene and the British Council.Made Me Do It’ a splitpiece that she made in collaboration with Falko sponsored by Sportscene and the British Council.

The project took place in the small town of Darling, where they painted an entire street of RDP houses with murals. “At first the people did not understand the art but inThe project took place in the small town of Darling, where they painted an entire street of RDP houses with murals. “At first the people did not understand the art but in

the end it made them really happy and proud of their houses” she says smiling.the end it made them really happy and proud of their houses” she says smiling.

Graffiti artists are faced with a challenge of people taking their work seriously as an artwork and the recently introduced bylaw makes it almost impossible to work. “If IGraffiti artists are faced with a challenge of people taking their work seriously as an artwork and the recently introduced bylaw makes it almost impossible to work. “If I

want to paint this wall,” she says pointing at a near by wall, ‘there are forms that need to filled in by the neighbour, the owner of the building and by myself. Then I alsowant to paint this wall,” she says pointing at a near by wall, ‘there are forms that need to filled in by the neighbour, the owner of the building and by myself. Then I also

have to send the sketch of the artwork to the government for approval.” Nard explains that the government is trying to fight illegal graffiti but in the end it’s the wronghave to send the sketch of the artwork to the government for approval.” Nard explains that the government is trying to fight illegal graffiti but in the end it’s the wrong

people that suffer the consequences of the bylaw.people that suffer the consequences of the bylaw.



In spite of these challenges she does not let it get in the way of her creativity, she finds alternative ways to express her creativity such as the targeting small towns,In spite of these challenges she does not let it get in the way of her creativity, she finds alternative ways to express her creativity such as the targeting small towns,

which are outside of the bylaw area. Another project she is working on is ‘Once upon a Town’ which will take place in Pella, Mamre which is a project similar to ‘Thewhich are outside of the bylaw area. Another project she is working on is ‘Once upon a Town’ which will take place in Pella, Mamre which is a project similar to ‘The

Darling Made Me Do It’ Young Guns Tattoo Shop has sponsored her to paint a mural above Munro’s in lower main road in Observatory.Darling Made Me Do It’ Young Guns Tattoo Shop has sponsored her to paint a mural above Munro’s in lower main road in Observatory.

Nard says there aren’t enough women graffiti artists and she suspects one of the reasons is that they could be afraid to enter a male dominated industry. But sheNard says there aren’t enough women graffiti artists and she suspects one of the reasons is that they could be afraid to enter a male dominated industry. But she

believes women graffiti artists are just as good as their male counterparts.believes women graffiti artists are just as good as their male counterparts.

Her family have always been supportive of what she does even though at first her parents were sceptical and thought what she was doing was illegal and dodgy.Her family have always been supportive of what she does even though at first her parents were sceptical and thought what she was doing was illegal and dodgy.

When I asked Nard if she looks up to anyone she giggled and said she cannot answer that question. Nard says she looks up to almost all the artist who have beenWhen I asked Nard if she looks up to anyone she giggled and said she cannot answer that question. Nard says she looks up to almost all the artist who have been

in the industry longer than she has been but her work is not influenced by their work. “I don’t like to idolise anyone…in graffiti you always have to have your own stylein the industry longer than she has been but her work is not influenced by their work. “I don’t like to idolise anyone…in graffiti you always have to have your own style

and that is why I stand out”and that is why I stand out”

Nard is working on a skating brand with a friend called ‘Young and Lazy’, they will be making t-shirts, hoodies and shorts. This will initially be a male clothing line butNard is working on a skating brand with a friend called ‘Young and Lazy’, they will be making t-shirts, hoodies and shorts. This will initially be a male clothing line but

the female will follow soon afterwards.the female will follow soon afterwards.

“It’s cool to see people appreciate my art and that’s why I do it”“It’s cool to see people appreciate my art and that’s why I do it”

Charles John – Stencil and Graffiti artist, 21 years old, maleCharles John – Stencil and Graffiti artist, 21 years old, male



PHOTOGRAPHER: Kent Lingeveldt PHOTOGRAPHER: Kent Lingeveldt

Charles John is a stencil artist and a third year Visual Communication student at the, flamboyantly named, Red and Yellow School of Magic and Logic. When I firstCharles John is a stencil artist and a third year Visual Communication student at the, flamboyantly named, Red and Yellow School of Magic and Logic. When I first

met him late in 2009 he was fresh out of high school and I immediately fell in love. I fell in love with his stencil work of a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors on canvas.met him late in 2009 he was fresh out of high school and I immediately fell in love. I fell in love with his stencil work of a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors on canvas.

“My stencil art has changed since then, it’s become more communicative and more diversified.” He is now trying to incorporate all the cultures he is exposed to in“My stencil art has changed since then, it’s become more communicative and more diversified.” He is now trying to incorporate all the cultures he is exposed to in

Cape Town that represent South Africa. Previously his art was more about the ability to make art and experimenting with different styles.Cape Town that represent South Africa. Previously his art was more about the ability to make art and experimenting with different styles.

“I think that’s what the problem is with South African street art nowadays, the work is too inspired by Banksy,Japan and European street art, it’s going to take a while to“I think that’s what the problem is with South African street art nowadays, the work is too inspired by Banksy,Japan and European street art, it’s going to take a while to

realise what we have and what a South African style is.realise what we have and what a South African style is.

Charles has recently been assigned as Senior Art Designer at Alpha Longboards, “Basically what I do is urban art and stencil art on the longboards,” he says.Charles has recently been assigned as Senior Art Designer at Alpha Longboards, “Basically what I do is urban art and stencil art on the longboards,” he says.

Charles says he owes a lot of the credit to his school as they’ve given him a broad way of looking at art. They have taught him to have a concept before he creates anCharles says he owes a lot of the credit to his school as they’ve given him a broad way of looking at art. They have taught him to have a concept before he creates an

artwork. He speaks highly of, Barbara Henekom, who made him realise he can make art. She motivated him to study Visual Communication.artwork. He speaks highly of, Barbara Henekom, who made him realise he can make art. She motivated him to study Visual Communication.

“It’s been different in Cape Town now because of the bylaw that’s been passed, it’s hard to paint murals because of the it,” he says expressing his concerns.“It’s been different in Cape Town now because of the bylaw that’s been passed, it’s hard to paint murals because of the it,” he says expressing his concerns.

“What they wanted to do was to get rid of gang graffiti, but the way it’s written out the bylaw basically restricts any kind of artistic visual on a wall without consent from“What they wanted to do was to get rid of gang graffiti, but the way it’s written out the bylaw basically restricts any kind of artistic visual on a wall without consent from

the government.”the government.”



PHOTOGRAPHER: Kent Lingeveldt PHOTOGRAPHER: Kent Lingeveldt

Charles says that he will keep doing art until there is absolute freedom of expression. He feels that the bylaw is very constrictive; it’s like asking someone who wantsCharles says that he will keep doing art until there is absolute freedom of expression. He feels that the bylaw is very constrictive; it’s like asking someone who wants

to tattoo their body to fill in a form for the government to approve before they can do so.to tattoo their body to fill in a form for the government to approve before they can do so.

He comes from a supportive family who let him express himself however he wants even when he comes back home with his head full of pegs. (Charles came to theHe comes from a supportive family who let him express himself however he wants even when he comes back home with his head full of pegs. (Charles came to the

interview with a peg clipped to his right ear)interview with a peg clipped to his right ear)

Charles says that every street artist paints so that they can be heard or understood. The artwork is for the next person to see the artist’s opinion of the world and toCharles says that every street artist paints so that they can be heard or understood. The artwork is for the next person to see the artist’s opinion of the world and to

understand that this is what they are saying as an artist. In his opinion creativity and its communication means considering yourself first.understand that this is what they are saying as an artist. In his opinion creativity and its communication means considering yourself first.

When asked what the point of street art is he giggled and simply said “Pure Narcissism!”When asked what the point of street art is he giggled and simply said “Pure Narcissism!”

By Sibulele SukiniBy Sibulele Sukini



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The Art That Is Graffiti - Unbranded Truth Online Magazine