When travelling through Bothasig it may feel a bit like driving through one large art gallery.
This could be because yet another mural has been painted on a wall in the area, the third of its kind so far.
Earlier murals were painted on the walls at Rooseboom Park and De Grendel Park in the area.
Five local artists, led by Debs Mulholland, completed the last mural located behind the new Food Lover’s Market, improving the entrance to Bothasig, says Derrek Serra, chair of the Bothasig Ratepayers Association.
Mulholland says the current plot was left empty for years taken over by vagrants and weeds.
The area was an eye-sore, but as residents they are delighted that Food Lover’s Market started building their new flagship store earlier this year.
Blank wall turned into art
“Part of this entrance into Bothasig was a vibracrete wall, 34 panels long and blank facing Bosmansdam Road. I suggested to Derek that I would love to put a team together to paint that wall,” says Mulholland.
The art on the wall was completed before the grand opening of the new store on Thursday 20 October.
“The store’s slogan is ‘from the farm to the fork,’ so we decided to paint along that theme and do a farm mural, and then around the corner is the actual store.
“I called on four other artists who worked with me at two other mural projects, and together we took on the challenge of getting this wall painted, in 20 days.”
Mulholland says each day the ladies pitched up whatever the weather.
“We had the theme and the ladies just got on with it. Each one of us has a unique talent, which worked together like a well-tuned orchestra. The result is the art on the wall.”
She says after doing a little bit of research, they decided to tell the story of the Coppin brothers, Michael and Brian, the co-founders of the company.
Mulholland says Michael also stopped often to chat to see how the artists were doing and was delighted about the personal touches added to the mural.
Residents welcome mural
“Many people stopped to take photos and chat, and the pedestrians walking past every day were happy to shout out encouragement and ask about the new store.
“We are delighted to have been part of this commission for the store and they, in turn, made sure we were safe. They sent security for us ladies every day, one day we were even sent lunch. I believe the mural has done what it set out to do and that was to create an interest about this flagship store.
“It certainly does attract your attention as you drive down Bosmansdam Road,” says Mulholland.
The group also painted nine panels inside the parking lot of the store.
