If there’s one artist who deserves the title of ‘King of Joburg’ it has to be the talented mural artist Dbongz. The man is a creative genius of note who has not only mastered his skill as a street artist, but also managed to breathe life into the city of gold through his creative work.
Just yesterday, we were praising him for his latest mural of South African rapper, AKA, and it wasn’t a day long when we had to give him his flowers again for his recent collabo work with Disney+.
Disney+ South Africa has teamed up with the local Johannesburg mural artist Dbongz Mahlati to create a proudly South African mural celebrating the much anticipated and critically acclaimed third season of the original, live-action series from Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Mandalorian that is nowstreaming exclusively on Disney+.
Below is a Q&A with Dbongz, courtesy of the Disney+ PR team in which he shares his thought process and creative ideation behind the mural that can be viewed next to the Gautrain station in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Baz Art reached out to me with a commission for The Mandalorian season 3 launch. I must say I was thrilled to work with Disney+ especially on a franchise this big! My brief was to bring The Mandalorian to life while representing South Africa.
Beads are a huge part of South African culture, we have used these for various spiritual and decorative reasons, they also unite the different tribes in our country. The idea was to create something that brings The Mandalorian home to SA and make it relatable to us.
I did that by capturing the valor and energy of season 3 and keeping true to the original helmet design while adding some color and charisma to it.
This mural is POWER, STRENGTH and UNITY.
They can check it out at Kingsmead College on Oxford Road – bring your phone with you and experience the incredible merger of Art and Augmented Reality!
Like most muralists, I started on the streets, but I took a more artistic approach when I started working with big brands, I really focus on photo realism.
My style is hyperrealism
I am inspired by the township story. I like to tell black South African stories through my art, showing both our challenges and aspirations.
I use spray paint and acrylic to create large scale photo realistic murals.
Opportunities are opening for street artists; more and more big brands are aligning their marketing strategies with art and it’s super cool to see. Organisations like Baz Art are also really helping artists monetize their craft, making it easier for us to make a living.
That there is always a Way to make anything happen, especially what seems hard!
When I’m not on the streets painting murals, I’m in my studio painting on canvas. When I’m not busy with art, I’m spending time with my family.
Be authentic, tell your story through your art. Don’t get caught up in your own hype and always work on improving your skill!
I started working with Baz Art 3 years ago for different Apple Music campaigns. We have really grown together. With Baz Art I have had opportunities that I would have otherwise not had. We’ve done work for the Charlize Theron Foundation in New York, for Elon Musk’s cryptocurrency and I’ve also had the privilege to tour across Africa, doing what I love. Baz Art is a wonderful platform that has launched many other artists in the public art space.
The adventures of the Mandalorian as he journeys through the Star Wars galaxy continue in Season 3 of the acclaimed, Emmy®-winning Star Wars series “The Mandalorian.” In the new season, Din Djarin, once a lone bounty hunter, has been reunited with Grogu, a child of Yoda’s species whom he rescued and subsequently turned over to Luke Skywalker at the end of Season 2. As the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history, the Mandalorian crosses paths with old allies and makes new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.
The original, live-action series from Lucasfilm is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+.
