The South African artist using Johannesburg as a ‘rough, decayed canvas’ to send a message
Berlin-based artist Robin Rhode is known for transforming abandoned spaces in Johannesburg. He shares why the city keeps calling him back
When artist Robin Rhode needed a canvas for his latest work, he found it at an abandoned sports ground in his dysfunctional hometown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Beneath the waist-high grass, broken bottles and occasional bullet casing, he uncovered a decades-old miniature golf course, indoor football fields and a tennis training wall. And that is where he started drawing.
The 48-year-old grew up not far from the sports ground but 20 years ago moved to Berlin, Germany, as his career took off internationally.
He paints on walls, sets fire to pianos and draws everyday objects like keys and light bulbs in chalk and charcoal.
“My work is deeply rooted in Johannesburg, and I think one of the reasons is that the city functions as a kind of rough, decayed canvas in many ways that’s almost calling for a new narrative to be drawn or painted [onto it],” he says.
