Artist Odon showing his sand paintings

Sand paintings by Odon

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Odon Serginho de Carvalho was born in 1974 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and he moved to Angola in 1996 to join his family members. During the civil war in Angola he escaped to South Africa via Namibia in 2000.

He learned the sand painting technique from his uncle, with whom he shared a shack with when he first arrived in Cape Town.

Each piece of art is made up of sprinkled coloured sand which he applies to the canvas. Through lots of dedication and hard work Odon has improved his technique over the years. He says “I like the feeling of working with sand. It also is a lot of fun for my visitors to watch me and also try to do it, which also is exciting for me in return”.

Over the years Odon has gained a reputation for his unique art, which has helped him to improve his life style. The themes of his sand paintings are mostly of Africa, animals, landscapes and townships, but he is also happy to create art based on requests.

Artist Mgadi making 3d painting out of recycled trash

3D township pictures by Mgadi

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Sithembele Mgadi attended an art class in 2000 where he learned how to mix colors and draw.

After training he didn’t have enough funds to buy all the materials he needed for drawing, so Mgadi had an idea to work with used material which he recycles. After trying several methods he started creating 3D pictures of the townships.

His work quickly became popular which led to other artists trying to copy his work. His 3D artwork is made out of cardboard, wood, paper, tins and other materials. Besides his workshop in Khayelitsha, you will also find his artwork being displayed in a few art galleries around Cape Town.

Mgadi also does individual work according to your ideas and specifications.

Artists Golden displaying his Tincan flowers

Flowers made from cans by Golden

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At the beginning of the 90s, Golden, his wife and their small children came to Cape Town like thousands of other people from the rural areas, hoping for a job and a better life. He couldn’t speak English and was part of the 65% unemployed population in the townships, feeding his family by collecting recyclable rubbish.

He had an ever repeating dream about flowers. One day he got the idea to make flowers out of tins that he collected.

Golden began making daisies out of tin cans. After a while of practicing he was able to sell his first flowers. As he improved his technique, he starting making other types of flowers, including roses, lilies, poppies, protea and birds of paradise flowers out of used tin cans.

Golden buys the tin cans from the children in his neighborhood, which they collect and bring to him. This gives the children some pocket money and teaches them about the environment and recycling. His own children help him with painting the flowers by hand. Today he is well known in the area for his art and is able to secure an income for his family and to provide his children with an education.

Mosaic flooring in Langa

Mosaics and mosaic-mirrors by Sandi

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Sandi Mdekazi attended art classes after he finished school in 2000 where he learned how to create mosaics out of ceramic tiles, glass and mirrors.

He quickly developed his own ideas and got first orders for larger mosaic work, which decorates several facades in the townships and other buildings.

He also did the mosaic reception desk for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. In 2008 he won the first price of an art competition.

Besides creating large mosaics, Sandi also creates smaller mosaics and mosaic mirrors in his workshop in Langa, which are ideal for transporting oversears and hanging in your home.