What this life looks like
You make art for everyone, in the streets where people live. Muralists and Public Artists create large-scale artworks in public spaces — building facades, underpasses, community centres, school walls, and public squares — making art accessible to communities that may never enter a gallery. African public art is thriving, from the legendary murals of Soweto to the growing public art scene in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra.
What she actually does
You develop concepts for public art commissions, design murals and installations that work at architectural scale, engage communities in the process, work with site owners and city authorities to gain permission and support, execute large-scale artwork (often in challenging outdoor conditions), maintain public artworks, and document and promote your work for future commissions.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Public Art Programmes | City arts councils, Cape Town Fringe, Lagos public art commissions, Nairobi public art initiatives |
| Corporate Clients | Banks, property developers, hotels — increasingly investing in public art for their buildings |
| NGO & Development | Community development organisations commissioning murals for schools, health centres, and community spaces |
| Festivals | Chale Wote (Ghana), Festac (Nigeria), Cape Town Carnival — festivals commissioning large-scale public artworks |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa's cities are increasingly investing in public art as a tool for urban regeneration, cultural expression, and community identity. Cape Town's Open Streets initiatives, Lagos's street art scene, and public art commissions by African banks and developers are creating real opportunities. Muralism is also one of the most accessible entry points into a visual arts career — requiring talent and determination more than formal education or expensive studio space.
Your pathway in
- Develop strong drawing and painting skills — muralism begins with the ability to draw confidently
- Build experience by painting murals for community organisations, schools, or local businesses at low or no cost
- Document every piece of work professionally — photography of your murals is your portfolio
- Connect with established muralists and graffiti artists in your city — the public art community is collaborative and supportive
- Apply for public art commissions through city arts councils, cultural institutions, and corporate public art programmes
Skills you will need
- Large-scale painting and drawing
- Colour mixing and paint knowledge
- Scaffolding and physical endurance
- Community engagement
- Commission management
- Photography and documentation
A woman in this field
Nardstar
South Africa
Nardstar is an internationally acclaimed South African street artist and muralist whose vibrant geometric style and bold use of color have established her as one of the most influential public artists working on the continent today. Based in Cape Town, her career spans multiple continents, creating large-scale public art installations that seamlessly bridge traditional graffiti roots with contemporary social commentary. Her signature artistic language uses a striking color palette heavily integrated with cubism and sharp, precise linework. Her massive murals frequently explore themes of African women's empowerment, local biodiversity, and indigenous heritage, effectively turning dull concrete infrastructure into engaging platforms for community dialogue. She has designed landmarks ranging from South Africa's iconic Soweto cooling towers to public walls in Brooklyn, New York, and has collaborated with global brands like Nike, Converse, and Adidas. Beyond her personal practice, she founded Free the Walls, an initiative focused on managing mural production and advocating for street artists' rights in commercial and public spaces.
Take your first step
- Paint a mural for a friend, family member, or community organisation — find a wall, get permission, and paint. There is no better learning than doing
- Study the public murals in your city — who made them? What stories do they tell? What visual techniques do they use?
- Research the Chale Wote Street Art Festival in Accra — it is one of Africa's most celebrated public art events and exemplifies what African public art can be
- Follow African street artists and muralists on Instagram — the community is active, generous, and international