Mrs & Mr Luke Reinvent Joburg Bus Shelters

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring IMAGES Saatchi&Saatchi Cape Town

Creative studio Mrs & Mr Luke, made up of designer/artist duo Faatimah Mohamed-Luke and Al Luke, is behind the colourful redesign of eight bus shelters in Joburg.

The project came about when the duo were approached by Saatchi&Saatchi Cape Town on behalf of Halls SA. Halls wanted to work with local artists to create a series of public works of art in Joburg, as part of the brand’s campaign to “Own the Moment”.

“Art exhibitions are usually seen as elite or private events and we wanted to create that same intimacy and attention to detail for the viewer in the public sphere,” says Al. “We were given a ‘moment’ as the inspiration behind each bus shelter, which we then needed to interpret in our own styles. We were given free reign to re-imagine each bus shelter and wanted to create an all encompassing experience, inside and outside.”

The duo started off by wrapping the bus shelter in a bright, solid colour. “This immediately creates interest from the regular commuters and passers by, as well as mentally prepares the viewer for an experience,” adds Al. Using the plastic building blocks she has become so well known for, Faatimah created both a focal design inside the bus shelter, centered around the “moment”, as well as smaller, more playful shapes. Al then made use of vinyl cut-outs and painted line work on the bus shelter’s exterior. “All the vibrant colour and pattern created was used to translate the exhilaration felt at the moment of victory,” says Al.

For Faatimah, this project became a way to get out of her comfort zone. “My work is usually displayed at galleries and art fairs so this was new and exciting,” she says. “I also really enjoyed talking to commuters while we were installing, as they were so intrigued and happy to experience something unexpected.”

“I really enjoyed tapping into the energy of the city and the people while creating these installations,” agrees Al. “Creating work outdoors comes with its challenges but all the positive comments and conversations while making the work only made it more memorable.”

See more of Mrs & Mr Luke’s work at mrsandmrluke.com. Follow Faatimah and Al on Instagram at @lucky_lady_luke and @alfromcapetown to keep up to date with the duo’s latest projects.