The 8th edition of The International Public Art Festival (IPAF), one of Africa’s largest and most anticipated public art festivals, took place over the weekend of February 14th-18th. IPAF 2024 transformed the city with 5 days of public art, street art murals, street tours, workshops and more. The possibilities were endless with this year’s theme of CoAct | CoLLab, inspiring connection through communal action and creative alliance. The heart of the festival was an immersive public art experience on the lawns of the Company’s Garden; with public art projects emanating all across Cape Town CBD.
IPAF 2024 OVERVIEW
Every year the streets of Cape Town become a canvas for public art, placemaking and community engagement and we relished the opportunity to unveil new projects to the city and surrounding communities. With Baz-Art’s founder, creative director and curator Melissa Cucci at the helm, the festival partnered with key experts from different creative spheres to produce unprecedented public art collaborations. Innovative large scale public art and placemaking as a platform to strengthen ties, connect communities and create new alliances.
IPAF final artworks revealed!
IPAF 2024: MURALS
Title: Rhino sanctuary, Artist: ROA, Sponsored by Delegation of Flanders
A returning festival contributor, ROA participated in a unique and unprecedented iteration of IPAF 2024’s CoLLab | CoAct theme. Two worlds collided; the creative space of urban street art & the rural sanctuary of the wilderness protective habitat, home to endangered rhinos. The artist engaged in a multifaceted placemaking project starting with an artist residence, in conjunction with the “Rhino in the mist” initiative. The artist then returned to the city and began work on his mural in the bustling heart of the CBD inspired by his time connecting with the animals and the spirit of conservation, producing a thought-provoking mural within the Cape Town CBD.
The artist brought back his impressions of the wilderness habitat to inform a visual that has a universal message; our human obligation to animals to use our power to preserve and protect them.
Title: Nature & diversity project, Artist: CRBZ, Sponsored by The Embassy of Switzerland to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius and Namibia
CRBZ is an artist whose style finds its roots and inspiration in the ancient practice of calligraphy. An integral part of collaboration is sometimes stepping back to inception; allowing inspiration and its rightful owner, a moment of celebration of the location of Company’s Gardens and the local heritage that can be found in the historic, long tended to gardens CRBZ shadow one of the esteemed and experienced gardeners, allowing him a private opportunity to connect with the indigenous flora. An artist who often finds inspiration in the natural world; he had the privilege of a solo sneak peek into the secrets of the garden at the heart of the city and the festival itself.
Specifically inspired by the strelitzia flower, indigenous to South Africa, CRBZ created a highly stylized and abstracted design using his signature calligraphy-inspired brushstrokes.
Title: Nature & Diversity project II, Artist: Dekor One
In conjunction with the CRBZ Nature and Diversity project, Johannesburg-based Dekor One produced a mural inspired by the wonders of the natural world. Focusing on a macro view of an enchanting scene in the gardens, the wall is a radiant and colorful delight, brightening the Cape Town CBD city-scape.
Title: The Community Project, Artist: Vanessa Teodoro, Sponsored by The Consulate General of Portugal In Cape Town
With this project I want to create something more conceptual through the use of an abstract piece based on the feeling of belonging.
I would like to connect the Portuguese community with my mural by talking to them about their life in South Africa and how Portugal is present in their lives. Listening to their stories about their journey going to South Africa or having been born in SA but feeling that the Portuguese culture is always present and a strong connecting point between them. My abstract work is freestyle and inspired by the flow of my thoughts and feelings when I paint. Listening to the short interviews of the local Portuguese community will inspire my brush strokes by creating individual and unique lines that represent each person’s journey. Each stroke is unique and reflects movement and versatility, respecting each line’s path and personal space. By connecting these graphic elements that coexist in harmony and flow with one another in a larger piece/mural, we will discover that even though each person’s journey is different, it’s the sense of belonging and “togetherness” that creates that special overall feeling of community. I will also use my own life path as part of this project, since I was born in South Africa, but have lived most of my life in Portugal. We gather throughout our lives imprints and experiences from where we were born, and the places we’ve lived help make us who we are today.
(Quote by Vanessa Teodoro)
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Title: Embracing Openness, Artist: Elléna Lourens, Sponsored by The Consulate General Of Belgium In Cape Town
Embracing openness’ is the message of the artist’s project in collaboration with the Belgium embassy. Recognizable through her use of decadently warm hues of color that in themselves feel like a warm embrace; the artist’s piece is an ode to and celebration of themes of radical love, unity, equality and acceptance. Bringing multiple perspectives and lived experiences together, she created a piece that radiates the message of mutual respect and celebration through the streets of the city centre.
Embracing Openness is a campaign launched by Belgium in 2023 with the goal to improve the awareness and reputation of Belgium globally as a country open for innovation, partnerships and diversity.
In collaboration with the run up to Cape Town Pride Parade celebrations, The Belgium Embassy hosted a reveal of the wall in celebration of diversity and acceptance.
AR project
The theme of forward-thinking and collaboration was highlighted through an augmented reality experience at the wall. Still accessible and ongoing at location.
Title: Welcome Zone, Artist: Mars
Inspired by the iconic visual of Cape Town’s Table Mountain highlighted in the IPAF 2024 poster, as well as our famous whale sightings and the colorful huts on Muizenberg beach, the artist created bespoke designs for the immersive Welcome Zone at the entrance of the Company’s Garden.
IPAF 2024: PUBLIC ARTWORK
Title: Rhino Sculpture, Artist: Sophia van Wyk
Engaging in an intuitive and reflective artistic process, informed by the spirit of the ROA x Rhino Sanctuary project, Sophia produced a sculpture that explored issues of rhino conservation. A creative, collaborative interpretation of a powerful and universal message; the sculpture reflected the beauty and vulnerability of the rhino while celebrating their imposing size and presence.
Members of the public were invited to contribute to the project by leaving a message or drawing on the sculpture.
The project culminated in a live performance piece, with the rhino sculpture being shattered; a commentary on the devastating and irreversible effects of poaching.
A huge thank you to all our sponsors, partners and supporters for your continued support and for sharing this incredible experience with us. We look forward to working with you in the future and continuing to showcase the power of public art!
Should you wish to read the festival report, please see download available below