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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | A Critical Investigation into the Impact of Community Mural Art |
Author: | Marschall, Sabine |
Year: | 1999 |
Periodical: | Transformation: Critical Perspectives on Southern Africa |
Issue: | 40 |
Pages: | 55-86 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | painting Architecture and the Arts Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Development and Technology |
External link: | https://d.lib.msu.edu/tran/378/OBJ/download |
Abstract: | South Africa has experienced a tremendous increase in community mural art. Community murals are murals painted in a collaborative effort with strong or at least some involvement of the local community. Through a case study of Durban, one of the major centres of mural art in South Africa, this article assesses the presumed effects and benefits of community mural art for the participating artists and the local community or target audience. It sketches the history of the mural movement in Durban since 1990, discusses the distinction between mural art as people's art and so-called fine art, presents a chronological overview of the major murals painted in the city, and introduces the main project leaders. The paper goes on to investigate the community's involvement, the empowerment of artists through mural art, the participation of untrained or partially trained artists, and the impact of the murals on the local residents. Murals are seen to provide the local community with a sense of ownership of and respect for walls or buildings. They are welcomed as a valuable beautification of an impoverished environment. What is needed is an education process that creates a basis for an appreciation of the artistic value of paintings. At the same time, mural art can have an immense potential in educating largely illiterate masses. The article is based on interviews with artists and members of the local community. Bibliogr., notes. |