Colourful mural for pre-school
A local graffiti artist has brightened up the outer wall at Thokozani Educare Pre-Primary School.
GRAFFITI artist, Shaun Oakley, added some fun to the lives of children at Thokozani Educare Pre-Primary School when he painted a Jungle Book theme on the school's outer wall.
According to Shaun, graffiti commissioned jobs have become a part of his life. Shaun works full time as a graphic designer and paints and designs murals for well known companies.
“The mural at Thokozani came out awesome! The kids looked stoked,” he laughed. “I usually try and commit my time to at least three or four pro bono jobs a year, where I give back to the community or I take on projects that place an impact on kids' lives. Nicky Burke approached me and asked if I would help in the upliftment of the Thokozani Educare Pre-Primary School, with the help of sponsors and after seeing the school, I decided it needed some colour,” he said.
Shaun said he recently helped paint a few murals at schools in Stanger and noticed how much the children appreciated the small things like murals.
“I thought I would do the same for Thokozani,” he said.
Shaun runs by the alias “Damn Vandal” and has been painting murals for about 14 years. He studied art at school and got his BA Degree in Visual Communications. He has painted for Mini Cooper, Converse, TBWA, 5fm, Mr Price, Top Gear Festival, Derivco, SAB, Giant Films and many more companies that help him challenge his skills.
“These days graffiti has become way more accepted and appreciated by society. There are a lot of negative connotations carried with graffiti in general, but when it's done professionally and planned, it looks aesthetically pleasing and also gives its surroundings that vibrance and freshness that Durban needs. We are so underrated as a city and hold so many talented artists with huge ideas, it just takes one person to say 'let's make this area look colourful and fresh' to make it happen,” he said.
He said there were so many blank areas in Durban that could be utilised to show people locally and from abroad that the city was more than just sunny skies and beaches, and that Durbanites have talent and culture.
“We are busy planning a new project with We are Durban, painting murals within the CBD with messages against drug abuse, whoonga especially. So keep a look out for that and many more big things to come,” he said.
