BLOK and SJ Artists Transform Sea Point’s Promenade

WORDS Gina PHOTOS Supplied

Blok’s latest urban intervention, in partnership with SJ Artists, turns functional structures into canvases for creativity.

Blok, a well-known property developer in Cape Town, recently collaborated with the SJ Artists to paint murals on the ablution blocks along the Sea Point promenade. The transformation of one of Cape Town’s most loved landmarks is a prime example of Blok’s urban interventions, which are aimed at elevating public spaces.

The collaboration was led by Shani Judes who runs SJ Artists – an agency dedicated to supporting and managing mural artists and large-scale art projects. Having worked on notable projects like Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival and Sea Walls South Africa, Shani’s passion for ocean conservation-themed public art aligned perfectly with this collaboration and its setting.

SJ Artists brought together three exceptional artists, each contributing their unique style, to create a diverse visual experience that captures the essence of the city’s artistic spirit.

• Russell Abrahams, known as Yay Abe, is a Cape Town-based illustrator celebrated for his colourful, playful, and transformative designs. His mural Ocean Daze is a vibrant depiction of a day at the beach, complete with hidden faces for passersby to discover.
• Amy-Leigh Braaf, known as Hakopike, is a South African artist exploring themes of self-discovery and cultural heritage. Drawing from her mixed Cape Malay and Indonesian heritage, her mural Coastal Lullabies is a visual poem celebrating Cape Town’s marine life and natural beauty.
• Mika Revell, known as Little Pink Pills, is an Asian-American artist known for her political satire, feminism, and historical art references. Her mural Impossible City, inspired by M.C. Escher, challenges perceptions of urban spaces and prompts viewers to reconsider conventional notions of home and community.

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