Bonteheuwel Surface Artworks

The social aspect of the site, Freedom Square, was of primary importance in the conceptualisation of the intervention. Freedom Square is considered the heart of Bonteheuwel and is a space of movement, gathering, and cultural significance in the Bonteheuwel community. As a foundation of the social narrative of the project, an art workshop with school students of the area was held. The brief for the workshop encouraged the students to reflect on the built environment of Bonteheuwel. Colourful shapes representing the architectural elements of the area formed compositions which represented the students’ experience of their home. The artworks were then directly referenced in the design of an artwork for the security screen of the library in the square, as well as floor artworks placed within the landscaping of the overall project. Complementing the floor and library screen artworks is a pair of murals by local Bonteheuwel artist, Shaunez Benting. The murals respond conceptually and geometrically to the other artistic interventions in the space to form a ‘family’ of artworks giving depth and definition to the square. 

Credits

Location: Freedom Square, Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, South Africa

For: City of Cape Town

Year: 2023

Landscape Architects: Tarna Klitzner Landscape Architect and Terra+ Landscape Architects 

Collaborators:  Kamal Ranchod, Riyadh Latiff and Uriah Cloete Artist

Photographers: Southland Photography and Bruce Sutherland