An Analysis of South African Street Art Through 10 Murals

South Africa has existed and continues to exist in a very politically and socially charged reality. With apartheid in the recent past and continuing problems of inequality and integration into a new system, the country has seen quite a bit of activism in all forms surrounding dissatisfaction with its state of affairs. This resistance and dissatisfaction often manifests itself in the form of art. South Africa has had a rich history of activist art, and art was used to resist and criticize apartheid. This was often in the form of posters or paintings, and faced severe repression. South Africa is a massive country in terms of its economy, population, and cultural presence. There is a strong creative subculture of art in South Africa’s major cities, the country’s hubs of opportunity. It is unmistakably modern. This type of African art counteracts Western stereotypes: art being “judged inauthentic by Western evaluators if it has not been used for ‘traditional purposes’” (Steiner 101). While many outsiders may be focused on artifacts and primitivist sentiment, street art is vibrant, modern, and valuable. Its success shows Africans reclaiming the perception and value of their art, as street art has come into a far larger global focus lately. Many African street artists have become internationally successful and famous. Street art and murals on the urban geography of cities carries a strong message, whether it regards politics, <a href="https://clayhallee.medium.com/an-analysis-of-south-african-street-art-through-10-murals-3266058b6f01">Website</a>