Page 41 - Mokazine 4 Eng

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STREET ART
adds colour to Moka
The A7 road now looks like an open-air art gallery with some of its bus stops and walls covered with murals painted by
a group of Mauritian artists. Going to the office or university has never been so enjoyable! Evan Sohun painted the first mural on the wall of the former Balliol College in April 2022. He was then followed by two CTC students (Alexandre Ricot and Tinotenda Chiyangwa) and Laurie Castel.
“My paintings depict the frantic race in which we find ourselves, without knowing why. It calls for a pause to reflect on whether this “box” (as Pierre Rabhi would say) in which we lock ourselves really sustains us.”
Evan Sohun
In early September 2022, five artists were commissioned
to create additional murals during a creative weekend.
Emilien Jubeau turned a bus stop in Saint Pierre into a ti bistop mazik, Brian Lamoureux celebrated the region’s history on another one in Gentilly, with an illustration making reference
to the agricultural heritage of Moka and to Michel de Spéville, founder of Eclosia. Lucid Design artists, Ishita Bhujohory and Jon Cielenfeu painted a wall in Saint Pierre with a representation of multiculturalism, and Prem Arts and Daphné Doomun created murals showing their visual influence. “I’m happy to
be part of this event and to put nature forward in order to raise awareness,” says Daphné, who painted a woman lounging at
the foot of Pieter Both Mountain.
“We encourage artists to create murals that resonate with local and regional culture, says Moka Smart City's Arts & Culture Manager, Mathieu Pigeot. They are also encouraged to do something that creates a dialogue with its space.” Public art
is not a vague concept in Moka: it is a thoughtful strategy embedded in the belief that art can regenerate the city’s public spaces. It reflects the values of the local community, inspiring, connecting, and enhancing the city’s cultural heritage:
“We want to use art to strengthen the sense of belonging to the city.” The people of Moka have much to be proud of!
Scan the QR code to see these works of art.
2022 / NO 4 / MOKAZINE 39