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The Newtown Now Festival

The exciting inaugural launch of this public art festival will take place this weekend on Mary Fitzgerald Square

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By Amy Saunders | July 12, 2018 | Design

On Saturday, July 14th 2018 the newly restored Newtown Heads and a new and colourful art installation created by the Imbali Visual Literacy Project, will be revealed to the public at the inaugural launch of the Newtown Now festival.

 

Newtown Now is a free festival that celebrates Newtown’s unique culture and heritage, at the heart of which is Newtown’s iconic public art installations.

 

The Newtown Heads, a public art installation of 560 carved wooden heads that sit on plinths across the Newtown Precinct, have become one of Newtown’s most iconic features over the last 17 years.

 

The Newtown Heads, Image: Angel Khumalo

 

Spearheading the refurbishment of the Newtown Heads is sculptor Americo Guambe who led the original team of artists who created them in 2001.

 

Speaking about his work, the Mozambican-born sculptor who has been creating wooden sculptures since the age of 13, said, ‘I wanted to show the people of Johannesburg that it is a city of many diverse cultures. And so, the heads do that – people of all races, genders, ages and cultures adorn the plinths around Newtown and the city.’

 

A new public art installation created by the Imbali Visual Literacy Project will adorn the square alongside the sculptures. The art installation includes colourful flags which will be hung from the square’s lampposts and large screen-printed banners emblazoned with images of Newtown’s iconic buildings.

 

Imbali Visual Literacy Project, Image: Supplied

 

Created as a project of Women For Peace in 1988, the Imbali Visual Literacy Project provides creative skills-development and training for unemployed South African youth. The youth are trained in specific income-generating craft and design activities that include embroidery, sewing, textile screen printing, ceramics, beading and jewellery making after which their designs are sold at their official shop in the Museum Africa foyer.

 

The Newtown Now festival will include free walking tours, arts and heritage exhibitions, creative workshops, family events and a flea market. The venues that will be participating in the festival include Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, the Worker’s Museum, The Market Theatre, Museum Africa, Market Photo Workshop, Stop Sign Art Gallery, 56 Pim Studio, Past Experiences, and the Newtown Junction Precinct.

 

Newtown City Skate Tour. Image: Kabir Dhupelia

 

Featured Image: Market Theatre, Supplied

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