Identities under the freeway

After yesterday's post of the bus station art, we are staying on Strand Street under the freeway.  Ten art pieces called Identities by artist Lubhi Mtathi can be seen on the freeway pillars.  The series are all powerful and evocative portraits that depict young South Africans from a range of cultural backgrounds dispelling racial and … Continue reading Identities under the freeway

Bus station art

Everybody who has taken the bus into town and gotten on or off in the downtown bus station would remember how dark and dodgy it used to be.  Since it's been opened up as part of the Strand Street and Route 67 redevelopments things have changed a bit and its a lot more open and … Continue reading Bus station art

Windward – sculptured benches on the Donkin

Is it a surf board? Is it a sail boat? Is it a seat? Well, its kind of a combination of the lot.  Windward is one (or rather three) of the art pieces forming part of Route 67 on the Donkin Reserve.  The shape of the sculptured benches hint at Port Elizabeth's nautical history while … Continue reading Windward – sculptured benches on the Donkin

Lighthouse Mosaic Moments

Everybody who visits the Donkin Reserve is in awe of the huge 470 m2 mosaic next to the pyramid.  Very few actually notice the frame of mosaic blocks surrounding the base of the lighthouse.  The mosaic blocks is a celebration of symbols and icons within Port Elizabeth and its surrounds referencing various stories, personal ideas … Continue reading Lighthouse Mosaic Moments

Route 67 Election Queue and Votes of the Future

There are two ways to walk up the Donkin Reserve from Chapel Street.  The first is up the Mosaic Stairs and the second along a winding path that snakes it's way up to the lighthouse and pyramid.  The path is called the Election Queue as it represents the winding queues on election day during the first democratic … Continue reading Route 67 Election Queue and Votes of the Future

The Fugard kite from Master Harold and the Boys

The iconic South African playwright, Athol Fugard, famous for plays like Master Harold and the Boys, Sizwe Bansi is dead and The island, has very close links to Port Elizabeth.  Fugard's mother ran the St Georges Park Tea Room which sadly stands empty today.  It was here in 1950 that a teenage Fugard insulted his friend … Continue reading The Fugard kite from Master Harold and the Boys

Harmony of Nature on Route 67

The Harmony of Nature art piece in front of the Athenaeum is probably one of the most interesting art pieces on Route 67.  It uses an old optical technique used by master like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo where a mosaic picture which looks distorted reflect perfectly in the metal pole in the middle of the picture.  The image contains … Continue reading Harmony of Nature on Route 67