Mook Lion

Mook Lion currently resides in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape. He recently completed his Masters in fine art at the Durban University of Technology. He investigated street art and mural art as visual activism in Durban: 2014-2017. His practice- based research aimed at producing site specific and socially conscious artwork in the public domain.  Theoretical and historical research as well as primary information gathered through interviews with members of the public, informs his art practice.

Mook Lion became invested in this form of cultural expression through participating in Hip Hop culture in Durban from the mid- 2000s focusing on graffiti. Through this culture he developed an interest in exploring and actively participating in Durban, his home city. He was charged for malicious damage to property on two occasions as a result of this active often unsanctioned use of public space through graffiti. Through institutional education at Durban University of technology he began attempting to combine academic fine art and graffiti which lead him to this area of interest.

Currently, he often works collaboratively with experienced artists and community members, aiming to make art which performs a social and cultural function by beautifying or repurposing wasted space and communicating with the public around social injustices and the importance of nature preservation. He also regularly paints commissioned murals with a variety of patrons from private clients to corporates and film production companies.