Nike South Africa has turned the Zoo Lake basketball courts into large-scale artworks
PARKWOOD – The Zoo Lake basketball courts have been turned into a large scale artwork by two local artists.
Nike South Africa has rejuvenated Zoo Lake’s basketball courts, turning them into large-scale artworks by South African artists.
The transformation is a part of Nike’s commitment to developing basketball and inspiring future athletes.
For this project, Nike collaborated with two talented local artists, Faatimah Mohamed-Luke and Karabo Moletsane to create the new design of the Zoo Lake basketball courts. Combining elements from their own signature styles, the design is inspired by the concrete jungle of Joburg city and brings a distinctly and proudly African narrative to the game.
Moletsane designed two animals in battle, a crocodile emerging from a lake and a cheetah emerging from a grassland. The crocodile is a symbol of resilience and adaption, since it lives in the water, breathes air, and has been around for centuries, while the cheetah symbolises speed and prowess as the fastest land mammal.
The animals are overlaid by geometric shapes designed by Mohamed-Luke which are inspired by natural elements. For instance, the urban jungle is represented by a single icon, ‘T’ which is created by the crown and trunk of a tree. Through repetition, these shapes create patterns and rhythms.
“I have never done any kind of surface design before, so to have my first one be with such an iconic brand was surreal,” said Mohamed-Luke. “I absolutely loved working on such a large scale and with an unusual surface.
“Karabo and I really wanted to incorporate all the elements that are unique to Zoo Lake in an authentic African urban way, and to be given that creative freedom is a designer’s dream.
“Our design aesthetic could not be more different, but it’s amazing how well our colour palettes merged and I definitely think we rubbed off on each other creatively which resulted in something interesting and dynamic.”
This labour of love promotes self-expression and celebrates the artistry, authenticity, and youthfulness that exists within the sport of basketball. By leaving this legacy, the grounds can unearth the next-generation of basketball stars in South Africa.
The courts were ready for Nike’s Battle Force Joburg challenge which started on 25 November. Battle Force is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that will see 32 teams competing for ultimate bragging rights.
Have you seen the newly-painted basketball courts at Zoo Lake? Share your thoughts with us on WhatsApp 079 439 5345.
