Events

A Splash of Art for Marine Conservation in Cape Town

October 25, 2023

3 mins read

Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans is bringing together international and South African mural artists to create educational murals promoting marine conservation in Cape Town. The week-long program includes outreach to local schools, self-guided tours of the murals, and a coastal cleanup. The initiative aims to encourage ocean stewardship through visual storytelling and creativity while addressing environmental challenges. PangeaSeed Foundation, supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation, is commemorating two decades of marine conservation by adding to their collection of over 500 murals across 19 countries.

What is Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans and how is it promoting marine conservation?

Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans is an initiative by the PangeaSeed Foundation that brings together artists from around the world to create purpose-driven and educational murals about marine conservation. In Cape Town, a team of 11 South African and three international muralists will decorate 14 buildings with marine creatures and plants. The week-long program includes youth outreach, self-guided tours, a coastal cleanup, and a free community event featuring short film screenings and a panel discussion on the intersection of science, art, and activism. The goal is to encourage ocean stewardship through creativity and visual storytelling while addressing locally relevant environmental challenges.

The PangeaSeed Foundation is commemorating two decades of marine conservation with the Cape Town edition of their acclaimed Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans initiative, supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation. Starting on November 6, 14 buildings in Cape Town will be decorated with marine creatures and plants by a team of 11 South African and three international mural artists. Among those participating are Spanish artist Antonio Segura (aka DULK), Germany’s Yeye Weller, and Si Omar (aka Cracked Ink) from the UK, who will work alongside South African creatives to add to PangeaSeed’s collection of over 500 murals across 19 countries.

A Week of Ocean-Inspired Activities

The week-long program, which is free and open to the public, will include youth outreach at local schools, self-guided driving tours of the murals, and a coastal cleanup. Sea Walls: South Africa, in collaboration with SJ Artists and Wavescape, will conclude with a free community event featuring short film screenings and a panel discussion exploring the intersection of science, art, and activism, or “artivism.” PangeaSeed Foundation Founder Tre Packard, who came up with the term, will visit Cape Town to see the latest Sea Walls project come to life.

Shani Judes, Project Manager for Sea Walls: South Africa, says, “Our collaboration with Sea Walls really puts Cape Town on a global map as a special leg on a unique tour of art and activism that brings to life how critically important the oceans are to our survival.” The murals, which will be located throughout Cape Town, from Gardens to Muizenberg and Salt River, are intended to be purpose-driven and educational. The goal is to encourage ocean stewardship through creativity and visual storytelling, while addressing locally relevant environmental challenges.

Murals that Make a Difference

For example, a mural in Newlands by artist DBongz, painted on the South African National Deaf Association’s Cape Town headquarters, shows a young child using sign language to convey determination to protect endangered species from the detrimental effects of human activities. James Lea, CEO of Save Our Seas Foundation, highlights the ability of impactful art to connect with people in ways that science often finds difficult. “Through fostering peoples’ connection with nature, we strive to promote ocean stewards who can help advocate the health of our oceans,” adds Lea.

Sea Walls: South Africa is not just a showcase of artistic talent; it also serves as a call for unity and a lasting legacy for Cape Town’s residents, artistic community, and the global Sea Walls family. By producing visually captivating murals, the artists aim to raise awareness and contribute to the worldwide effort to safeguard our oceans. In the words of Packard, “A drop of paint can create an ocean of change.”

How many mural artists are participating in Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town?

A team of 11 South African and three international mural artists are participating in Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town.

What is the goal of Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town?

The goal of Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town is to encourage ocean stewardship through visual storytelling and creativity while addressing locally relevant environmental challenges.

Who is supporting Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town?

Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans in Cape Town is supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation and is an initiative by the PangeaSeed Foundation.

What is the duration of the program in Cape Town?

The program in Cape Town is a week-long program.

What activities are included in the program in Cape Town?

The program in Cape Town includes youth outreach at local schools, self-guided driving tours of the murals, and a coastal cleanup. Additionally, there will be a free community event featuring short film screenings and a panel discussion on the intersection of science, art, and activism.

How many murals are going to be decorated in Cape Town?

A total of 14 buildings in Cape Town will be decorated with marine creatures and plants by the team of mural artists.

What is the significance of Sea Walls: South Africa for Cape Town?

Sea Walls: South Africa puts Cape Town on a global map as a special leg on a unique tour of art and activism that brings to life how critically important the oceans are to our survival. It also serves as a call for unity and a lasting legacy for Cape Town’s residents, artistic community, and the global Sea Walls family.

What is the message behind the murals in Cape Town?

The murals in Cape Town are intended to be purpose-driven and educational, encouraging ocean stewardship through creativity and visual storytelling while addressing locally relevant environmental challenges. They aim to raise awareness and contribute to the worldwide effort to safeguard our oceans.

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