We were commissioned to create three large-scale murals that would spread awareness around the pandemic’s effects on our communities. But this wasn’t about dwelling on the hard times – the objective was to create artwork that brings hope, rooted in the real voices and experiences of people from Philippi, Lavender Hill, and Langa.

Listening First

Before any paint touched wall, we spent time in these communities doing interviews with residents. We wanted to understand how the pandemic had affected people’s daily lives, but more importantly, we wanted to capture their resilience, their hopes, and the ways they’d found to keep moving forward.

These weren’t just research sessions – they were conversations that would become the foundation of each mural.

The Right Artists for the Job
We brought together three incredible artists whose work speaks to community and hope: Nardstar, Conform, and Dada Khanyisa. Each artist took on one community, ensuring the murals would be authentic to both the artist’s style and the specific stories we’d collected.

Making It Real
Each mural became a collaboration between artist and community. The interviews shaped the imagery, the color choices, the overall feeling of each piece. We weren’t just painting walls – we were translating real conversations about survival, community support, and hope into visual stories that everyone could connect with.

The scale of these murals means they can’t be ignored. They’re landmarks now, reminders of both what these communities went through and how they came together.

The Impact
Three walls, three communities, three different interpretations of hope during difficult times. Each mural stands as proof that art can do more than just look good – it can carry important messages and honor the voices of people who don’t always get heard.

This project reminded us why we do what we do. Street art has always been about giving voice to communities, and these murals continue that tradition while addressing one of the most significant challenges of our time.

*Looking to create meaningful art that connects with your community? Let’s talk about how Free the Walls can help tell your story.*