WORDS Cheri Wolf PHOTOS Supplied
Muse of Tupac’s aughts anthem and legacy brand of the hip-hop world at large, French cognac house Hennessy deepens its homage to South African arts and culture with the latest instalment of “In The Paint”: African Ginger’s refurb of the Ernest Oppenheimer Court in Joburg.
The project sees art and play fuse in the CBD to honour 3v3 basketball and the cultural life that thrives on and off the court. Beyond the court restoration, the new paint job by acclaimed local visual artist Seth Pimentel, known as African Ginger (@african_ginger), reflects the historic half-court’s life as a link for spitting cyphers and playing ball.
Hailing from the city himself, Seth’s design reflects stories of the CBD and its people. His characteristic neo-expressionist style fittingly narrates the energy and emotion of basketball: soft-but-bold line expressionism signifies the “Game Never Stops”.
READ MORE: Q&A: FaithXLVII on Hennessy Very Special Collab.
Seth adds, “This collaboration with Hennessy has allowed me to share untold stories through art. It showcases the spirit of our people and is a tribute to the past while serving as a beacon of hope for the future.”
“In the Paint” is a collab between Hennessy and America’s National Basketball Association (NBA), an initiative that renovates local community basketball courts around the world. The Oppenheimer Court follows last year’s revamp of Johannesburg’s iconic Zoo Lake court by renowned Zimbabwean-born Sindiso Nyoni.
Looking for more local art? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.