If you missed out on the recent public art bus tour that celebrates the legacy of Drew Lindsay, worry not. The City of Johannesburg has got you covered. “The City of Johannesburg’s Directorate of Arts, Culture & Heritage presented Moving with the Mosaic Master – a public art bus tour of the late Drew Lindsay, who passed on in October 2021.
He has left a vast number of public artworks around Johannesburg and is known for his ‘organic, heartfelt and earthy’ style. His legacy lives on through Spaza Art Gallery, which was founded by him,” said Palesa Mnyaka, the City of Johannesburg’s Public Culture Manager.
“Drew Lindsay’s life and work have already become legendary, with high public interest to view and experience his magnificent mosaics. As a result, I’m happy to announce that there will be one more tour on 9 July 2022,” she added.
Most of Lindsay’s work was developed with teams of collaborators and co-workers at Spaza Gallery. The Spaza Art Collective has been restoring his art and completing artworks begun and inspired by Drew.
Taking off from Sunnyside Park Hotel, the Moving with the Mosaic Master bus tour touched on art sites across the City – going to Houghton, Parktown, Braamfontein, Newtown,
Troyeville, Joburg CBD and other locations. It also stopped at established artworks that have been produced over 20 years and featured intriguing new artworks by the Spaza Art Collective.
Eric Itzkin, the City of Johannesburg’s Head of Heritage, encourages Joburg residents to explore the City’s rich array of public art. “Such trips promote enjoyment and appreciation of public art, taking you on a magical history tour across many parts of the City, engaging with a variety of artworks on heritage themes.”
“Not only was Drew Lindsay’s legacy honoured, but the tours also previewed stunning new artworks created by members of the Spaza Art collective, which was founded by Drew.”
Itzkin led the tour and the bus trip was free. Space for the 9 July 2022 tour is limited and reservations are essential.
“I have several of Drew’s artworks scattered around my house and I’ve photographed his mosaics in every corner of the City, but I was still amazed during this tour at the breadth and diversity of Drew’s public artwork in Joburg,” said Heather Maison, an American blogger residing in Johannesburg.
“Most of the pieces we visited were new to me and the tour reminded me what a unique and exceptional human being Drew was, and how generous he was with his skills and talents,” she said.
Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
05/07/2022