Uplifting the Eastern Cape one mural at a time is street artist Nathan Sanan who was behind the iconic Boks Mural. Through his incredible art, Nathan is sharing many visual messages of positivity for communities that most need them:
Eastern Cape, South Africa (14 November 2023) — Anyone who thinks art does little to uplift the communities it lives among has likely never been a bogged-down South African whose entire day changes for the better after encountering a larger-than-life (and sometimes larger-than-problems) mural. As any good street artist knows, the sight of enormous beauty can serve the most important purposes, like changing a mindset, connecting us to our communities, reminding us what is important or simply, giving us something to appreciate.
Dedicated to the call for uplifting others through public art, is street artist and architect, Nathan Sanan.
Nathan hopped onto GTG’s radar after his mural celebrating the Springboks born in the Eastern Cape had us in awe. But, it isn’t only incredible talent that makes this East London artist quite so remarkable.
When we learnt from a fellow admirer that Nathan’s work is slowly transforming and uplifting East London one mural at a time, we were inspired.
So, we sat down with the street artist to learn more about his mission!
Nathan got into street art thanks to an endless itch to learn new skills.
“Throughout life I have always been obsessed with skills acquisitions and when this was combined with an admiration for large scale street art, I committed myself to learning how to spray paint,” he shares of what began this journey.
“I was fortunate enough to be a part of a group of creatives in Gqeberha where there were opportunities for me to learn from incredibly talented individuals which really helped me grow in not only skill but confidence too.”
His works range from natural wonders like bees bigger than trees, flora, and an abundance of wildlife works, to murals honouring ‘the life givers of our beautiful country’—women.
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Then there are the reminders of light, joy and positivity, reflected in spray-painted smiles.
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Of them all, his favourite pieces are the ones that uplift their immediate communities in spaces that are often forgotten or unkempt.
“Coming from an incredibly fortunate background, my favourite works are ones that uplift areas of urban decay and struggling communities, so my works in the twilight zones of old CBD’s are the ones I am most proud of.
“I attempt to be sensitive and celebratory of the communities that I work within so it’s amazing to spend prolonged periods of time in these areas and with the people, hearing about backgrounds, fascinating histories and translating that into an aesthetic outcome that combats the world’s default sense of negativity.”
On his thoughts around street art as a medium to beautify and uplift areas, he shares that it has a great impact.
“Over the years, I’ve come to realise that street art is hugely effective at uplifting not only areas but also communities, instilling a sense of pride and joy wherever they exist whilst at the same time addressing my own ignorance by getting informed as I temporarily integrate into the communities that I work in.”
He adds that this is only the beginning of more to come.
“I have no intention of slowing down as I look to do my part to uplift and reinvigorate areas around the Eastern Cape.”
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