IF you’re a regular user of the Ruth First Highway you would have been sure to spot a piece of reverse graffiti just before the Broadway (Swapo Road) off-ramp. The hashtag #ISeeYou has been placed across various prominent highways across Durban by graffiti artist, Shaun Oakley, also known as Damn Vandal.

Oakley said the campaign was about celebrating African success. His belief is that we need to really see each other and, by doing so, appreciate the achievements of ordinary people every day. He has left the hashtag on various different spaces around the city.

“It was a way of encouraging and recognising young artists and creatives. People have been sharing photos with the hashtag and it’s been great to see the interactions. We’ve done around 10 of the hashtags around the City including Toll Gate Bridge, the M4 and parts of Sydenham to name a few. I think Durban is a melting pot of talent and I would hope this would inspire other creatives,” he said.

Read also: Damn Vandal brings wall to life

The 29-year-old has a degree in visual communications and describes his style as a fusion of vector illustration and graffiti, which is heavily influenced by his love of comics. Aside from his graffiti on walls, he is also well known for his work on custom cars and surfboards.

Oakley said the walls of cities worldwide were becoming canvases for creative expression and were for many tourist attractions on their own. He said while Durban central had a number of pieces, he was hoping for other areas north of the city to follow suit.

“A lot of murals and work can be found in Durban but I’m hoping to do more projects in uMhlanga and Ballito. I’m sure there are some amazing spaces out there. I think some people within the tourism sector recognise how street art livens up a space. So many people come to destinations around the world specifically looking for street art pieces and murals,” he said.

Throwback: uMhlanga lifeguard tower gets street art makeover

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