Determine who wins the Braamfontein mural competition by voting right now
By CityLife Arts Writer
The Playground has been infused with an abundance of colour and a visual narrative that tells a story about the energy and life that emanates from the streets of Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
In collaboration with Heineken®, The Playground put out a public invitation to participate in a mural project at the market – and the result was that ten artists were chosen from 70 submissions to each paint a panel celebrating Braamfontein.
Each and every one of these super-talented artists – Dbongz, Naledi Tshegofatso, Jakes Mbele, Nicholas Vries, Ras Sila Motse, Yolo Liso Xulu, Kaya Gwebu, Samurai Farai, Johnny Allison and Thabang Mojela – responded to the brief in a way that sets aside global uncertainties to focus on calming the chaos, inspiring hope and creating poignant moments of human connection.
“I’d like to show the world that being African is not an aesthetic or a trend,” says muralist, Kaya Gwebu, “but a lifestyle, a heritage, and marker that I am proud to bear.”
Now that the murals are ready for everyone to see, members of the public are being called to vote for their favourite mural – via Instagram – either remotely or by coming to the market, posting a photo of the artwork that speaks loudest to them and having a complimentary Heineken® for their efforts!
This will help to inform the selection of five artists, who will work with Heineken®
to submit creative concepts that will be considered for a final two-storey Heineken® mural at the entrance to The Playground.
“The ultimate goal has always been to select an artist to paint our two-storey mural,” says Marcel Swain, Head of Marketing: Premium at Heineken South Africa, “but doing it this way not only gives the public a chance to participate in the decision, it gives ten artists – rather than one – the opportunity to be seen.”
Visitors to the market should take a picture of their favourite mural, add it to their story & tag @heineken_sa & @theplaygroundjhb. They should use
the #theplaygroundxheineken, tag two friends and show it to the bartender to get a free Heineken®
Even if people can.”not make it to The Playground, they can vote online by sharing the post of their favourite mural to their story.
Voting closes on Sunday 31 July 2022.