Woodstock is a creative hub of Cape Town and now this up-and-coming suburb has added another attraction to its offering. Take a guided walk in this colorful district during your southern African safari and see another side of Cape Town creativity.
History of Woodstock
This bustling area started out as an upper-class seaside destination, akin to Brighton in the UK. Over the years, industry crept in, slowly taking over and eroding the appeal of this coastal suburb. Eventually, the area was rezoned, without its beach, making it a no-man’s land for sunseekers.
As industry increased, so did crime and even the locals left for greener (or sandier) pastures. During the 1990s, Woodstock took a turn for the better, finding favor among the city’s many emerging artists. The factories were replaced by artists’ studios and these were soon followed by trendy restaurants and coffee shops.
On the Road to Recovery
When you opt for a street tour of this colorful neighborhood, you’ll see the role that graffiti has had a role to play in the gradual reinvention of Woodstock. Street art gets people out in the street, it gets them talking and taking an interest in their area.
The goodwill has spilled over to the tiny nearby suburb of Salt River, although it’s taking a little longer. Poverty is still rife in this area, and the fee you pay for your tour is helping to create employment and income for the locals.
What’s Involved
When you head off into the streets with your guide, you can expect an entertaining running commentary on the history of the area, the people and the writing on the walls.
Their knowledge of the artists and the hidden significance behind their art brings new meaning to each piece, making for an enlightening and worthwhile outing.
This graffiti is far from the ‘Kilroy was here’ type of scrawl that was popular in the early days of street art. Many of the pieces have been specially commissioned and all of them have been done with the permission of the building’s owners.
In Salt River you’ll still come across the leftovers from an International Public Arts Festival which took place here in 2017. Some of these works explore issues such as social injustice, community upliftment and conservation, and they do it all in bold, living color.
Sometimes, you’ll find that a second artist has added their own embellishments to the original piece, often changing the original meaning entirely. Your guide will explain all these clever manipulations during your tour.
This factor, along with the new street art that seems to pop up out of nowhere means that no two tours are ever the same.
You should set aside between 60 and 90 minutes for your walking tour of these vibrant streets.
The first step towards understanding the street art of Cape Town is designing an exciting inventory for your southern African safari. Get in touch today and we’ll help you put it all together.
