The Alliance Française’s new mural is called Pixel Monster. Photo: Heidi Botha
FOUNDED in 1960, the Alliance Française French Language and Cultural Centre in Gqeberha, has been situated in Richmond Hill for almost a quarter of a century.
These days the beautiful Victorian house which Alliance occupies is surrounded by a newly-painted wall. The red wall, a colour historically signifying equality and social justice to the French, now also displays a brand-new pixel art mural, or as the artist (known as Pixel Monster) calls it, pixelism.
Since starting his artistic journey in 2009, initially inspired by the vibrant graffiti scene in Spain, his artistic pursuits have taken Pixel Monster across borders and, as Alliance Française promotes their language and culture around the world, so too has the artist shared his passion for pixelism with diverse global communities.
“Initially, I started with a completely different artistic style, but eventually I was drawn to the accessibility and simplicity of pixel art in doing drafts and the boundless, creative freedom it offers. Utilising basic tools like Microsoft Paint, I discovered the beauty of a unique approach in creating designs by zooming in until individual pixels come into focus,” he explained.
With the pixel street artist, the wall becomes the artist’s screen on which digital art is magically translated.
“I discovered that each stroke of paint on the wall or the canvas tells a story, revealing the artist’s unique thought processes and creative expressions.”
The continuous cycle of exploring and creating, learning from other artists and pushing the boundaries of his own artistic vision, fuel Pixel Monster’s passion for street art.
For this street artist, the essential source of inspiration would be lost without the people he encounters daily, the vibrant tapestry of urban expression around him.
This is also why he chose the mural for the Alliance.
“The spot was perfect. Lots of people continuously pass by and it’s in a lively part of Gqeberha with a strong cultural vibe. Each mural is like a person, unique in its own way,” he said.
True to the goal of Alliance Française itself, always aiming at transcending the textbook and digital screen and creating a more inter-connected way of life and communication, the artist saw the mural as an opportunity to mix French and South African cultures.
“The character in the mural has South African features, while wearing the colours of the French flag, along with a French beret. These cultural symbols and subtle details, such as the visible earring shaped as an A for Alliance, suggesting its unseen counterpart, F for Française, tell a story that fits its location.”
Among other endeavours, Pixel Monster enjoyed working on a project called South African Queens.
This project involved painting female characters from different ethnic groups in South Africa through pixel art, showcasing their unique features and traditional attire.
Close to Alliance, another of Pixel Monster’s designs adorns the wall of Colin Wells Framing.
From zooming in on the details to bringing concepts to life on a larger-than-life scale, the artist dreams big and loves a steep challenge.
“My primary aspiration is to tackle larger-scale projects, such as painting a vertical, four-storey block building. Street art is all about taking risks and pushing boundaries.”
Balancing his day job with his fervour for art by dedicating his nights and weekends to painting, Pixel Monster shows how a passion for art and life can lead to seizing every available moment to do just that.
His humble advice for young artists interested in street art is simple.
“Start! Find a wall and paint on it. Look for walls that will not cause trouble, like those under bridges and dilapidated buildings. Focus on enhancing abandoned or neglected spaces. The key is to add value, to add art.”
Collaborating with community members, other artists and organisations like the Alliance Française, we can indeed all contribute to the cultural landscape of our areas.
More of the artist’s work and related content can be found on the Instagram account @gigglycook, where he goes by the name of PIXEL MONSTER.