| Find public art | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">What is public art?</h2></span>
<p>Public art makes communities and environments more beautiful and helps uplift the spirits of those who see it or experience it; it also tells rich stories about a city’s people and history. </p><h4> Some public art can be touched</h4><ul><li>Sculptures</li><li>Paintings</li><li>Graffiti</li><li>Murals</li><li>Mosaics</li><li>Statues </li></ul><h4> And some is performed </h4><ul><li>Dance</li><li>Procession</li><li>Buskers </li><li>Street theatre</li></ul>
<span>
<div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg">
<figure>
<img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/artsfest.jpg" style="margin:0px;width:113px;height:76px;" /></figure>
<figcaption>
<p>
<span class="infoGraphicSpan"><strong>PUBLIC ART CATALOGUE</strong></span><br><br>A guide to public art in Cape Town</p>
<a title="title" class="btn dark-blue" href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Public_Art_Catalogue.pdf" target="_blank"><i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a> </figcaption> </div></span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Why do we need public art?</h2><p> Public art improves public life by:</p><ul><li>renewing neglected areas;</li><li>making public spaces more beautiful;</li><li>getting people to talk about culture;</li><li>increasing the use of public spaces;</li><li>attracting visitors;</li><li>adding to community identity;</li><li>making art accessible to the public;</li><li>increasing collaboration between artists; and</li><li>creating job opportunities for artists.</li></ul><p>We encourage you to explore the city and our neighbourhoods further. Here is a selection of our most visible public art projects and areas.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Seapoint promenade – art54 project</h2><p>Whether you are a resident or visitor, don’t miss out on all that this seaside public art gallery has to offer. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>art54 is just a temporary public art project. The remaining artwork on the promenade will be removed within the next two years. </p></div></div><p>Strolling along the promenade you can see extraordinary sculptures, murals and photographic installations created by local artists. These artworks form part of a pilot ward project that was started to support art and artists in public spaces.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">MyCiTi bus stations</h2><p>Local artists were invited to enter designs to be chosen for the first thirteen
<a href="https://myciti.org.za/en/home" target="_blank">MyCiTi<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> bus stations built across the city. The artists were challenged to create artworks that would improve the overall look of the stations, catch the eyes of busy travelers and remain interesting to people walking past the artwork, daily. Artworks ranged from murals to mosaics and printed photographs, but each one had to reveal something new with each deeper look. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>The murals at the Civic Centre and Thibault Square stations were created by Julia Anastasopoulos - the popular YouTube DIY guru, Suzelle DIY.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Langa Cultural Precinct</h2><p>Visit the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Arts-and-culture/Find-art-in-the-city/Langa-Cultural-Precinct">Langa Cultural Precinct</a> and keep an eye open for the artworks that have been created in public spaces throughout the area. One of the most visible is the Langa logo mural on both Bhunga Avenue and Jakes Gerwel drive. </p><p>Other vibrant murals have been created through the collaborative ‘Icons of Langa Mural Project’. This project celebrates individuals, ideas and concepts unique or important to Langa. If you are walking on Bhunga avenue, stop and have a rest and take in the detail on one of the six mosaic benches recently created there.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>Established in 1923, Langa is the oldest of Cape Town’s former townships.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Woodstock arts precinct</h2><p>Woodstock has, in the past five to ten years, given birth to a thriving arts community. With a number of prominent galleries and a design market in the area, the area attracts large amounts of visitors and artists. Many of these artists choose to make public art and are inspired by the Salt River and Woodstock communities.</p><p>If you wander through Woodstock you can see a number of different murals and graffiti artworks honouring the families and individuals who live there, as well as our shared social and political history. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Civic Centre and Thibault Square</h2><p>Outside the Civic Centre, there is a red sculpture – one of the highest sculptures in South Africa, reaching almost 9 metres. It is made of industrial sections of cast steel that were cut, welded, bent and refitted to produce an abstract form. Some people call it the ‘bent paper clip’ but its real name is
<strong>‘The Knot’</strong> and it was created by Edoardo Villa in 1981; it is meant to symbolise the unity of all the sculptures on the landing in front of the Civic Centre. </p><p>Thibault Square houses the
<strong>‘Mythological Landscape’</strong> by Cecil Skotnes – a multi-armed metal dedication to our diverse nation. Erected just as South Africa was becoming a democracy, this sculpture is one of the most fascinating and creative sculptures in the city. Be sure to visit it. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">St George’s Mall</h2><p>St George’s Mall is a busy walkway running from Wale Street down to Adderley Street, and connects a number of different blocks of shops, offices and residential suites. Along the mall, you can see sculptures like Brett Murray’s controversial
<strong>‘Africa’ </strong>which questions how we understand African identity; further up, on the corner of Shortmarket Street and St George’s Mall, you will see the intriguing
<strong>‘Come to Pass’</strong> sculpture, made out of brass and glass and shaped like a compass, clock or cross. It lies on the ground and speaks about the various ways we understand history.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Busking and performance art </h2><p> Buskers can be found in some of Cape Town’s busiest environments and areas popular with tourists. </p><h4>Hotspots</h4><ul><li> The city centre – near Greenmarket Square and along St George’s mall, you will find dancers and musicians on most days of the week</li><li> Long street, in the CBD, is also famous for its public performances</li><li> Outside the
<a href="https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-national-gallery" target="_blank">South African National Gallery<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> in the company’s garden </li><li> Along government avenue, the cobbled walk way which connects Wale street and Orange street</li></ul><p>Public performances are different and tend to take place as part of a street festival or bigger cultural event. Find out more about our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Events-in-the-city/City-supported-events/Signature-cape-town-events"> signature events in the city</a>.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>TOP TIP</h4><p> Are you interested in performing or doing some art in the public space? See our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Creative-community/Public-and-community-art/Make-public-art"> Make public art</a> page for the best way to go about doing this.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Public art permits</h2><p>If you would like to paint an existing structure, add a structure or perform public art, you will need to get a permit from the City. </p>
<span>
<div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic">
<i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Public-art/Apply-for-a-public-art-permit/Apply%20for%20a%20public%20art%20permit">Apply for a public art permit </a>
</p></div></div></span> | | GP0|#b4ab8793-d204-47f2-ac41-d720da628b69;L0|#0b4ab8793-d204-47f2-ac41-d720da628b69|Find public art;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#6c76e2f7-4cbf-462e-b191-de905f1ae159;GPP|#07a08cd3-03c2-4703-bb40-76a6c7a471e0;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#8a15e05e-1764-4060-bf9a-e309fc325aaa;L0|#08a15e05e-1764-4060-bf9a-e309fc325aaa|Find public art;GPP|#e001a681-3daf-44ca-a7eb-6fa983dcd6e3;GPP|#0c2420be-c66e-49a2-a10b-86921ae3c3c2;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Find out why public art improves the lives of Cape Town residents and what recent public art projects can be seen in the city. | 0 |
