15 Dec 2014 | By Sun International
Discover Public Art in Durban
Perhaps it's Durban's laidback ambience that lends itself to a more creative lifestyle and that's why the city's arts and culture scene is so popular. With museums and galleries dotted throughout the city, it's no surprise that Durban's art scene is part and parcel of daily life.
See for yourself when you take a short drive down the coastline from Sibaya Casino and Entertainment World and head into the heart of Durban. While you're looking for things to do in Durban, keep your eyes peeled for bursts of colour, because art happens just about everywhere you look in this city.
Durban Art Gallery
No art-focused tour of Durban could begin without a starting point and there's no better place to begin than at the Durban Art Gallery. With permanent and travelling exhibitions on rotation, the Durban Art Gallery fuses historical and contemporary works, giving new meaning to mixing it up. With more than 3 500 artworks in its archives, it's no wonder this gallery has been around for more than a century!
artSPACE Durban
A range of smaller galleries found within the city's suburbs and industrial areas makes up the more contemporary side of Durban's art scene. You'll find artSPACE in a warehouse close to the CBD but it's more than just an exhibition space.
As an arts-supporting organisation, artSPACE also assists with marketing and promoting artists and collaborating with like-minded project partners. It's here that many of Durban's artists find collaborators and co-pilots, enabling them to take their work to the next level of success.
The BAT Centre
As an arts and culture community centre, the BAT Centre celebrates Durban's unique expressions as a city, but also supports artists and provides important training and education.
As a multipurpose complex, the BAT Centre has seen many a Durbanite through its doors. With a visual arts studio, resource centre, functions room and training space located within the BAT Centre complex, this hub also plays host to a variety of local and international visitors, performers and artists.
More than just buildings
But it's not just institution-based galleries and art-focused spaces that put Durban's creativity on display, as there are a number of public areas that are designated as ideal spaces for creative expression.
Yes, it is allowed
Take a drive down into Morningside and you'll always spot something beautiful just on the corner of Problem Mkhize and Sandile Thusi Roads.
Often used to advertise upcoming events in an elegant way, colourful graffiti work is emblazoned upon this wall.
Tip: the artwork changes regularly drive past every now and again to see what's new!
The Box Project
Putting some of the city's top artists to work, as they spruce up some of the city's most boring features – electricity boxes – and imbuing them with a sense of colour and life that's unmistakably magical? That's The Box Project.
Initiated during the August 2014 International Union of Architects Conference that was hosted by the City of Durban, The Box Project extends far beyond the initial event, with plans to expand this public art practice into Durban's suburbs.
Warwick Triangle Murals
Another offshoot of the 2014 conference greets you as you enter Durban's largest public transport hub, Warwick Triangle. Cape Town contemporary artist Faith47 was invited to create public murals in Durban, where she chose to create them in this busy thoroughfare and marketplace.
Depicting traders and familiar faces from Warwick Triangle in gigantic forms, these large murals turn a formerly drab bridge into a public artwork with purpose.