Renowned South African artist transforms Johannesburg’s abandoned structures into art: Video
Renowned South African artist Robin Rhode has returned to Johannesburg, the city where he grew up, to draw inspiration from its decaying urban landscape for his latest art collection, Joburg Hymn.
Rhode, who now resides in Berlin, Germany, says Johannesburg's worn-out and abandoned structures continue to motivate his work.
"The rough Johannesburg canvas serves as an inspiration for me," Rhode explained to the AFP. "It motivates me to come back and inject energy, life, and a new narrative into these decayed spaces. It’s calling for regeneration," he remarked.
During his recent visit to South Africa, Rhode was deeply affected by the collapse of many once-thriving structures. This experience has driven him to use his art as both a form of revitalisation and a critique of the political systems he believes have failed the city.
"Seeing these collapsing structures had a profound impact on me," Rhode said. "It’s motivated me to come back and allow my art to function as a critique of the political systems that are also collapsing."
One of the key pieces in his new collection, titled Block of Flats, which he says mirrors the urban decay found in Johannesburg’s neighbourhoods.
