Local renowned artist Livina Williams Otto from Noordgesig has been over the last week (s) raising awareness on littering and illegal dumping through her paint brushes and passion for visual arts.
ALSO READ: Durban visual artist Mondli Mbhele wins 2022 Sasol New Signatures
Williams, a long-time resident of Noordgesig has played a critical role in the community with visual murals retelling the history, heritage and culture of the area.
Recently she planted Namaqua daisies next to a dumping site…and now a full scale daisy mural a few meters where the flowers were planted.
The particular project is in collaboration with the Community Development Project (CDP) and Trinity Sessions to bring her vision to the greater Soweto.
She said she was reminding her community and outsiders of the beauty of nature.
“The beauty of the daisies is that they grow even in extreme weather conditions, they survive on their own…. and that’s our community- rising through the hardships,” she said, referring to the history of her community.
“As they started growing, the community took notice – in a short space, we transformed a dumpsite into something positive, the first thing you see when making your way into greater Soweto.”
ALSO READ: Strauss & Co’s August online sale shines the spotlight on Eastern Cape artists
The artist shared that she often felt the planting of the daisies wasn’t bold enough to get her message across which promoted her to do more and pay homage to the daisies and on a full scale.
She wants her art to inspire the community to consider the long term effects and environmental impact illegal dumping has.
“We wanted to do something that will tie in with the planted daisies, to articulate the beauty of the environment and think twice before dumping. It is not just a mural to beautify but an effort to eliminating the crisis.
“This talks to the community and people passing through, it carries a message of who we are,” she said.
The mother of three describes art as a therapeutic relationship which pulled her from the dark depths of depressions.
“It is my escape, where I transform myself onto that wall. The emotions are embedded deep in me.
ALSO READ: Strauss & Co devotes single-artist auction to celebrated artist William Kentridge
“It shows with every painting around the community and the transformation it has had on the community because we are not just a poverty stricken community that has contributed to crime,” she said.
She now works as facilitator with Trinity Sessions doing oral history where she conducts research, interviews into the archiving of Noordgesig history and culture with the hopes of retelling the rich stories.
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
