Kimberley is getting some extra colour, as part of the Kimberley Mural Series. This is aimed at celebrating the rich cultural heritage, history, and vibrancy of the Diamond City, with a special focus on the Khoi and San people of the Northern Cape.
Some Kimberley artists say they are excited that their work included in the mural series will bring honor to the Khoi and San people. Locals were surprised to see the splash of color in the middle of the city.
The drivers of the project say this is giving life to an idea inspired by the past – looking at the history of the Khoi and San.
Project Manager from Trailblazer Joshua Rolse explains, “What we are trying to do is we’re trying to re-awaken the urge for people to find out where they come from – the Khoi heritage. The San people are one of the first people that inhabited Southern Africa and people are overlooking that. So, we are trying to re-awaken it to find out their heritage.”
The murals have been popping up all over Kimberley and according to the organisers, this is the fourth of five that will adorn the city. Local artists say they are fascinated by their work.
“As an artist, I only work mainly with charcoal which is black and white. So when it comes to colors having to mix colors can be so challenging. As you can see different colors from the San so brown is mostly on Khoi people,” describes one artist.”
Another artist says, “This art piece is an expression of art. If people can look at this artwork it evokes emotions while they are looking at it means us as artists have done our work..”
Local artists – some doing murals for the first time in their lives – are benefiting from the project. Artist – Deidre Vaarland -says the work was challenging.
“It was challenging this is my first time doing a mural. It is challenging because of the weather when the sun comes that sides you get burned quickly and working with these people was amazing.”
The Kimberley Mural project is funded by the National Arts Council. It’s hoped the extra dash of color in the city will remind people of a marginalized culture, but also bring back the love for the arts.
