:: Melkhoutfontein, Stilbaai, Western Cape, South Africa::
:: February & March 2016 - March & April 2017 - February & March 2018 - April 2019 ::
The 2019 season of mural painting was the continuation of the 'Awakening' phase of both the PaintUp project specifically and the Dreamcatcher development programme more generally in Melkhoutfontein. Two new designs were created in the early part of 2019, both of which were realised into murals in the Harmonie Park area of the township. This along with the 2018 mural Making Ochre At Blombos has transformed the entrance into Harmonie Park into an open-air art gallery, and there are plans to extend this further. Another 'Swift People' mural was also realised. I should like to thank Chris Rimell for his help in realising the two murals, along with Hans Mooren and Lleyton Syeward. Naturally I would also like to thank Anthea Rossouw and Katrina Solomon of Dreamcatcher South Africa for all of their support both before and during my stay. Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Gerty & Ivan Felkers, in whose home I stayed throughout my visit, and whose delightful welcome and relaxed hospitality formed the bedrock upon which I was able to work and complete the work. Thank you and I miss you all.
:: THINKING STRINGS - A WALK THROUGH MELKHOUTFONTEIN::
:: February - March 2016 - Melkhoutfontein, Western Cape, South Africa ::
A short film slideshow with images taken on the final full day of my stay in the town of Melkhoutfontein, with all seven completed murals seen in their proper contexts. We start at the edge of town with the Timewalk, and as we progress through one of the main streets we see several other murals - The Eland People, various Swift People and Strandlopers - come into view. The narration is taken from my speech written for the launch event on 22nd March 2016, which many people said they found inspiring and emotional. With deep gratitude to the people of Melkhoutfontein for such a warm and welcoming time.
Thinking Strings - Dreamcatcher South Africa from Bruce Rimell on Vimeo.
